It's not the CAT of the storm....it was the storm surge that had EVERYONE worried. Surge AT high tide...and 'spring' tide also. Worse case scenerio stuff. A 'squal line' doesn't have a storm surge.
2ndly...regarding the quake, cut the east coast people some slack! It's just barely days till the 10 year 9/11 anniversary. If you're in a building and you hear/feel the rumble...you're not thinking of earth quake, you're thinking another attack of some sort. Also, buildings aren't built to the standard for quakes that is required for the west.
how would you west coast cronies deal with a CAT 3 storm or a tornado down Hollywood Blvd.? think about it....