Hurricanes, earthquakes, and poison toads, oh my!
Four newsletter editions ago, we reported that earthquakes are as rare in Florida as hurricanes are in California, with only five earthquakes in Florida since 1727. Well now we’ve had five more just in the past month. Then a report that poisonous toads have infested a South Florida neighborhood. Good grief, what’s next, the plague?
Our March 4 story noted the reason we don’t get earthquakes is that Florida sits on the passive part of the North American Tectonic Plate. We didn’t mention Alabama. The five earthquakes in March all happened close to the Alabama-Florida line. The first quake on March 6 actually struck about three miles east of Flomaton, Alabama but was felt 20 miles away on the Florida side of the state line.
Another earthquake struck March 11, with two more on March 13, and then the latest one last Sunday, March 24, about two miles east of Century, Florida. It measured 2.7 on the Richter scale. Thankfully, none have caused damage or injuries. Alabama’s Geological Investigations Program said the five quakes are part of the “normal seismic activity” in the area. But the U.S. Geological Survey has just installed seismic stations in the area to transmit data directly to its headquarters in Golden, Colorado to better study the situation. Hmm.
Also last week, word came that poisonous toads have infested a South Florida neighborhood. Bufo toads, also called cane toads, have appeared by the thousands in certain areas of Palm Beach Gardens. News reports say residents are worried that toxins secreted by the toads will have their pets and children.
A firm named “Toad Busters” says Palm Beach County and the rest of South Florida for that matter, better get used to it. Seems that recent heavy rains and warmer temperatures (this is springtime in Florida after all) have increased the toads breeding and they are likely to spread throughout the land!
One of the lessons here my friends, is that risk is everywhere. Old risk and new risk. Some more serious than others. It’s why we’re in the insurance business!
LMA Newsletter of 4-1-19
