Is it prescribed to pray when an earthquake happens or there are strong winds?
Question

                If there is an earthquake or other signs in some land, is it prescribed for its people to pray ?.
Praise be to Allah.
    Yes, it is mustahabb to pray when one of these signs happens, 
    such as eclipses, earthquakes, violent storms, persistent and frightening 
    winds, and destructive floods, because it is narrated in a saheeh report 
    from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he prayed when an 
    earthquake struck Basra, offering a prayer like the eclipse prayer. Then he 
    said: This is how prayers should be offered at the time of these signs.

    Narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2/472; ‘Abd ar-Razzaaq, 3/101; 
    al-Bayhaqi in as-Sunan al-Kubra, 3/343. And he said: This is proven 
    from Ibn ‘Abbaas. End quote. Classed as saheeh by al-Haafiz in Fath al-Baari, 
    2/521 

    Al-Kasaani (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

    It is mustahabb to pray at all times of alarm, such as when 
    there are strong winds, earthquakes, darkness, and ongoing rain, because 
    they are causes of alarm and fear.

    End quote from Badaa’i‘ as-Sanaa’i‘, 1/282 

    It says in Manh al-Jaleel Sharh Mukhtasar Khaleel 
    (1/333): It is recommended to pray when there is an earthquake or similar 
    frightening signs such as epidemics and plagues, individually or in 
    congregation, two rak‘ahs or more. End quote. 

    The Hanbalis limited the recommendation of prayer to 
    earthquakes, because that was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas. As for other signs, 
    it is not prescribed to pray at those times.

    See: Kashshaaf al-Qinaa‘, 2/66 

    Ash-Shaafa‘i (may Allah have mercy on him) was of the view 
    that it is prescribed to pray at times of these signs individually, but it 
    is not prescribed to pray in congregation on such occasions.

    See: al-Majmoo‘, 5/61, by an-Nawawi. 

    Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) 
    was of the view that it is prescribed to pray in the event of all signs. He 
    (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The eclipse prayer may be offered on all 
    occasions when there is a sign, such as earthquakes and other events. This 
    is the view of Abu Haneefah and was narrated from Ahmad. It is also the view 
    among our companions and others.

    End Quote from al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 5/358 

    Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned 
    three opinions concerning the matter, the third of which is that this prayer 
    may be offered at the time of any frightening sign. Then he (may Allah have 
    mercy on him) said: This last view is the view favoured by Shaykh al-Islam 
    Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him), and it is a very strong view. 
    This is the more correct view.

    End quote from ash-Sharh al-Mumti‘, 5/93 

    And Allah knows best.