You didn't give us much in the way of details so lets assume your 'neighborhood' had 5000 people, 10% of which lost homes and 20% of roads in and out were impassable for up to 3 days. Contrast that against a predicted quake in SLC. Predicted that up to 38% of buildings in the valley would have moderate damage, 62,000 would need shelter immediately, expect all landlines and cell phones to be down for days. 80 percent would have power back in 30 days, the rest could be months. Water would take longer. "
A 7.0 quake hitting in the middle of the night, for instance at 2 a.m., would cause the most casualties: an estimated 2,920 dead, another 1,480 with life-threatening injuries, another 9,360 with non-life-threatening injuries but still needing hospitalization". So in the SL Valley, 1 in 500 is dead, 1 in 1000 is critically injured, and 1 in 150 needs hospitalization. Easy you say, the valleys roads are 50% open, major east-west thoroughfares are damaged, bridges across the Jordan River collapsed and 3 - 9 ft ledges have many surface streets impassable. I'd say my hurricane scenario being 'minor' comparison is pretty just
Now look at the earthquake scientists predict is due for the Wasatch Front (and many other similar metro areas)
From the USGS:
"The Wasatch Range, with its outstanding ski areas, runs North-South through Utah, and like all mountain ranges it was produced by a series of earthquakes. The 386 km (240-mile)-long Wasatch Fault is made up of several segments, each capable of producing up to a M7.5 earthquake. During the past 6,000 years, there has been a M6.5+ about once every 350 years, and it has been about 350 years since the last powerful earthquake, which was on the Nephi segment. "
Thems er' bettin' odds.
Now, don't get me wrong, hurricanes have the propensity to be very dangerous and damaging, yet the odds of one happening to a specific metro area don't rank up there with the 1 in 7 odds of a major quake in Utah. However if I lived in hurricane country, tornado country, blizzard country or zombie country for that matter, I would be prepared. Utah is not the only state urging this preparedness and in fact I'd bet you'll find most states do.
Of greater concern and almost more telling is the fact you shop at Walmart lol.