We know far more about earthquakes and their causes than we did just a few years ago. What we can't do is give any meaningful predictions of when and where earthquakes will occur other than "30% probability in the next forty years," which is a bit vague. There are reasonably decent probability maps which correctly show that the West Coast is far more likely that Chicago to experience a major event. For you guys, tornadoes and similar events are more of a concern.

The building codes here in my neck of the woods reflect this heightened probability. It does pay off.

There are no certainties in life anyway. I can reduce the likelihood of heart attack and lung cancer by not smoking, but I can't eliminate the possibility of either disease. I can take measures to improve my survivability and decrease property damage in the next big shaker, but I can't eliminate the risk.

After every major earthquake in SoCal, U-Haul shows an upward tic in rentals. Folks are moving to Kansas to avoid quakes. I guess they would rather deal with tornadoes and floods? I talked a year ago to a gentleman who had come to California from Florida because of hurricanes. To my mind, that was a very odd decision, since hurricanes are seasonal and predictable (now at least) and you can get out of their way. Try that with quakes.

Everywhere in the world has its own "bad events profile" and some sort of major calamity(ies) that can disrupt and end lives. What we can do is choose a profile that we can handle and then take the indicated steps for safety, remembering that life is all about probabilities