[onewhippedpuppy]

We have regional codes requiring "hurricane straps" as they're called on rafters, trusses, etc. Reinforced steel plates attached with heavy joist hanger nails. This only is good to a point, a direct hit from a powerful tornado is enough to destoy most buildings. Several popular options are a foam block filled with concrete for houses, said to be tornado proof and awesome for insulation. My in-laws just built a house out of it, great stuff. Also, most new homes have "safe rooms", ie a room in the basement with 12" or so thick concrete walls and ceiling, as well as a reinforced steel door. It's just hard to build a "tornado proof" house without spending a fortune. Most homes around here have basements, very rarely do you hear about someone being killed when they're hiding downstairs like they're supposed to. It's always the idiots that go have a look outside that get it.

It's not the danger of an earthquake, it's the psychological. Just seems like it would be a creepy sensation.