What's the Deal with Typhoons Anyway?

Was excited about the Typhoon coming. Work was cancelled, and we all prepared for the worst. After all the fuss, all we got was a light shower and later a downpour. No damage other than this Southern Californian's utter disappointment. I was hoping to see weather in it's natural habitat. I'm a little worried because we haven't had an earthquake in a month or so. I'm so used to them now that when they stop, I miss them.