- Alaska has the dubious honor of being home
to the biggest earthquake in the U.S. in recent history with a
magnitude of 9.2. Although it took place more than 40 years ago, residents of
this state need only look at pictures to see the devastating effects it had on
numerous cities, including Anchorage.
As recently as 2003, Alaska
experienced another earthquake that registered 7.8 on the Richter scale and one
in 2007 of a 5.4 magnitude.
- Alaska’s
weather makes it a prime target for natural disasters associated with extreme
conditions. Strong winter storms, such as the one that occurred in November
2005, can cause coastal flooding and landslides.
- Dry weather conditions are, perhaps, the number one cause of wildfires in Alaska. The 2005 fire
season in this state ranked as third in their record books, affecting 4.7
million acres of land.
Severe winter conditions, intense and heavy rains, mudslides, coastal
erosion, flooding, high winds and earthquakes (both above ground and under the
ocean) - these are just some of the conditions and subsequent natural disasters
that may occur (sometimes frequently) along the Alaska coastline. Residents of Alaska must learn to
live with these conditions and be prepared for the financial, medical, and
structural repercussions that may ensue as a result.
North Americans learned of the tragic consequences from an undetected
tsunami when a powerful one struck over two years ago in the Indian
Ocean. Although warning systems in place in the United States are sophisticated enough so that
residents have adequate time to evacuate, this doesn't immunize Alaska residents and
their property from an equally powerful tsunami. The Cascadia Subduction Zone,
a fault that extends almost 700 miles and runs 50 miles off the coast of the
Alaska, may be gearing up for another massive shift, making the occurrence of a
tsunami an all-too real possibility. It has now been 305 years since one of
these shifts has occurred and, historically, major quakes happen in 300-year
intervals. According to one marine geologist in the area, "we might be due
[for another tsunami] just about any day."
The biggest mistake you can make is to do nothing at all; Alaska residents need to prepare for these
and other natural disasters by ensuring the right home insurance policy is in
place. Hundreds of insurance companies, many of which are disreputable, sell
homeowners insurance in Alaska.
It's difficult not only to differentiate the legitimate companies from the
illegitimate, but it can be difficult for Alaska consumers to find the right policy at
the lowest possible price. At insurehome.net, you can find the lowest real-time
insurance quotes in Alaska.
