As I understand it, the amount of time you get of the event depends upon your distance from the epicenter and nothing else. Individuals can subscribe to the system and be notified at the same time as the fire station. If you are at the epicenter, you are screwed but at a distance you may have many minutes to prepare, anything from the surgeon withdrawing his scalpel from the operating site to moving upstairs out of reach of the tsunami.

These days tsunami warnings can be issued hours in advance, say if you are in the Pacific Northwest and the quake is in the orient.

Lots depends upon your local topography. Our local harbor suffered about a million dollars in damage in the Fukashima quake, primarily to berthed boats, while the buildings at the harbor, five feet or so above sea level had few, if any, consequences. Life went on just fine.

OTOH, the 1812 quake, with an epicenter just off shore, devastated Santa Barbara, as did some subsequent tremors. Good building codes heelp in situations like this.

On the West Coast, we are in danger from EQ Black Swans, but we don't have to worry about hurricanes or tornadoes. Choose your hazard profile, make adjustments, and get on with what's important.
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Geezer in Chief