Sue ... right on with your thoughts about a major quake in L.A. Even in US authorities have the very best of intentions, a widespread quake (8.0 or better) is likely to cause major devastation. Most citizens would be lucky if they've got 2-3 days food/water. I give it about 72 hours before things start getting pretty ugly. There is NO way that authorities can enforce order with that number of people, or have a ghost of a chance for delivering all the food and water that is needed. It's completely impossible. The number of residents affected could be 20 times the number in Haiti, although I expect the total casualties would be substantially less (unless fires become a major problem).

The prospect is really not pretty.

other Pete