http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/hazmaps/products_data/images/nshm_us02.gif
The greater Birmingham area and northern New Jersey have the same seismic hazard rating - and it is NOT the lowest.
I was actually awakened one morning by a shaking I thought was an unbalanced washing machine on spin cycle (my washer and dryer are on the second floor). It wasn't on. My cockatiel was chirping like crazy and my dogs were barking as well. It was an earthquake in NE Alabama. Nobody got hurt except for a few stone chimneys.
Don't even get me started on sink-hole insurance.