TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma's insurance commissioner is advising residents to purchase earthquake insurance after a national report suggested that seismic activity in the central part of the state is here to stay.
Commissioner John Doak said quake damage can cripple the finances of property owners who haven't purchased policies.
A report released last week from the U.S. and Oklahoma Geological surveys suggests an earthquake "swarm" continues to affect central Oklahoma after a record 5.6-magnitude quake rattled Oklahoma in November 2011.
Since January 2009, more than 200 magnitude 3.0 or greater earthquakes have hit central Oklahoma — marking a significant rise in the frequency of the seismic events, the survey reported.