New York State Quake Warning Voiced By NYIA

NU Online News Service, March 9, 11:36 a.m. EST

As Haiti and Chile work to recover from devastating earthquakes, an insurance trade association reminded New York residents that out of 50 states, theirs has the fourth-highest earthquake risk.

The New York Insurance Association (NYIA) said that while New York has never had a "strong" earthquake--defined as a magnitude between 6.0 and 6.9--the state does have a history of moderate quakes with magnitudes between 5.0 and 5.9.

The most recent such earthquake, NYIA said, was a 5.1 magnitude earthquake that struck near Platsburgh, N.Y., in April 2002, causing damage to walls, foundations and chimneys.

The largest earthquake to strike the state was a 5.8 magnitude quake in the greater Massena, N.Y., area in 1944, NYIA said. It caused $2 million in damage, which NYIA said is equivalent to $24.4 million in today's economy.

Other similar events include a 5.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Attica, N.Y., in 1929, and a 5.5 magnitude earthquake that struck New York City in 1884--the most forceful event on record for the city.

NYIA said that the earthquake hazard for New York is considered moderate, but added that experts view New York's risk to be relatively high due to densely populated areas and an abundance of older unreinforced masonry, "typically brick structures, which are particularly prone to earthquake damage."

The association mentioned that a 2008 Federal Emergency Management Agency study ranked New York the fourth highest state for earthquake risk.

"While there is a low probability of building collapse for typical structures in moderate-sized earthquakes, significant damage is not uncommon, which can result in costly repairs," said Daniel O'Brien, geographic information systems and earthquake program manager for the State Emergency Management Office.

He noted that loose, softer soils in New York could amplify ground shaking, and the state also contains bedrock that transfers seismic energy greater distances than in the western part of the country.

"This raises the potential for wider regional impact," he said. "For instance, the 2002 earthquake near Plattsburgh was felt over 150 miles away by residents in Albany."

NYIA, citing figures from the Insurance Information Institute, said earthquake coverage for a brick home in New York would cost 60- to 90 cents per $1,000 of coverage, less expensive than the $3 to $15 per $1,000 for a similar home in an area such as Northern California.

Homeowners policies do not cover earthquakes, NYIA said, but noted standard homeowners and business insurance policies may cover losses from a fire following an earthquake, which would include additional living expenses and business interruption coverage.

"New York property owners should contact their agent or company representative to make sure that they have the right type and amount of insurance to protect them from earthquake damage," said NYIA president Ellen Melchionni.