After experiencing the Northridge, Calif., earthquake in 1994, I swore that I would take a hurricane or snowstorm any day over an earthquake. With the natural events that we experience on the East Coast, we have at least a week to prepare. An earthquake just happens. Boom! One second, you’re making lunch for the kiddies, the next moment, you are supine and the hardwood floor is rolling like waves in the ocean.

Here on the East Coast, we have plenty of time to stock up, to hoard milk, despite the fact that we don’t drink milk…