I recall 3.2 million people losing power, some for over a month, a few years ago in Canada. Canadians were importing and stealing backup generators from the states so fast, Customs Canada still doesn't know how many generators crossed the border.

sean. that was a serious natural disaster. i mean if a tidal wave crushed california, you wouldn't use it as a point of comparison. for what its worth, i was in montreal the whole duration of the ice storm and we got hit worse then anyone else .. i didn't lose power once. it was all a matter of which trees froze, knocked over what powerlines and the like. i even do recall having internet access. when the "great earthquake" finally hits, we'll see how well those seismically braced racks et al will hold up. -ken harris.