Earthquake: The Long Road Back : Costly Quakes
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Gov. Pete Wilson says the financial toll from Monday’s earthquake could “conservatively” rise to $30 billion or more. By comparison, the 10 most costly earthquakes in U.S. history, in estimated property damage:
EARTHQUAKE YEAR MAGNITUDE AMOUNT (MILLIONS) Loma Prieta 1989 7.1 $590 Sylmar 1971 6.4 $51 Alaska, West Coast 1964 8.9 $50 Whittier Narrows 1987 5.9 $36 Landers/Big Bear 1992 7.6, 6.7 $9 Humboldt County 1992 7.1, 6.5 $6 Tehachapi 1952 7.7 $6 Long Beach 1933 6.3 $4 Coalinga 1983 6.5 $3 Imperial County 1979 6.6, 6.2 $3
Note: Damage amounts are expressed in dollar values for the year in which the earthquake occurred.
Sources: Insurance Information Institute and Personal Insurance Federation
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