Now would be a great time to review and update your Emergency Preparedness Plan. If you don't have one, get one. If you would like more information on how to create a Emergency Preparedness Plan refer to the links at the bottom.
A strong earthquake shook the Inland Empire today that measured a magnatude 5.4. No immediate reports of major injury or damage were reported. The inital quake was followed by at least 70 aftershocks ranging from as little as magnatude 0.9 to as large as magnatude 3.8.
For those of you that have lived in the Inland Empire for anything longer than 10 years, this was just another day in the life. For those of you that are new, WELCOME! You just had your first large quake. The initial realization that it is shaking is a bit startling, but once it is over you realize it can easily be prepared for. Despite the inability to predict them, I will take a quake risk over the yearly hurricane and tornado warnings that are a regular and recurring threat every year in other parts of the country.
The last major quake of similar magnitude was the Hector Mine quake on October 16, 1999 at a magnitude of 7.1. It was in the middle of the desert. It caused quite a bit of rumbling and shaking, but despite the large magnatude, it cause little to no damage because it occurred where most people do not live. That is really close to the largest quake ever felt in California which was in 1857 and measured a magnatude 7.9.
Today's quake was a big contrast to the quake felt in Northridge on January 17, 1994 with a magnatude of 6.7. That earthquake resulted in 60 fatalities and millions in property damage. Many of the insurance companies exited the earthquake insurance market after that quake because of the massive losses. So why was it so different this time? Was is it just the size of the quake that kept it such a "non-event."
There are many reasons this quake was a non-event, the most important one is building codes. This is probably the most important factor that leads to reduced damage. It does help that the quake was only a 5.4 too.
Relatively new construction (i.e. stronger earthquake resistant building codes) and lower population density. Those two things are why the damage is limited to basically some broken shelf items. Much of the construction in the Inland Empire is relatively new. There are homes that date back to the 1940's, but they are becoming fewer as owners update the older properties and bring them up to code with newer earthquake standards. This is something to consider when you are looking for a home. When was it built? What type of foundation does it have? Very old homes may not even have a foundation. My parents house was built in 1954 and sits on concrete footings and has a crawl space under the house. Most new construction now has a concrete slab for a foundation with the walls bolted to it. This helps the structure to withstand the shaking even if your nerves can't.As usual, the major news networks struggled to get video footage of the epicenter which was located in Chino Hills, CA. While the public that lives in the Inland Empire was tuning into the major news networks to learn what they could about the quake all of the networks were busy showing pictures of Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood sign and the 405 freeway explaining how resiliant the public was and how there were no signs of any damage in LA. OF COURSE NOT! All of the pictures being shown were 25+ miles from the epicenter. Guess what, when you are 60 miles from downtown LA a magnitude 5.4 is going to provide little to no damage! I was living about 80 miles from the epicenter of the Hector Mine quake and it was in the top 15 largest quakes in California history. I have felt more shaking from 3.0 quakes that were closer than the Hector Mine quake. The media may as well have gone to Las Vegas and interviewed everyone. It would have provided just as much insight to those most affected by the quake. Within 4 minutes I knew exactly where the quake was and what the magnatude was by using the Internet. That provided me more up-to-date and useful information than ANY media coverage. Showing me pictures of LA freeways and other areas where most people were not even aware there was an earthquake is pointless. And I know that many didn't know an earthquake happened because I have been in a car during major quakes. You don't feel it unless you are sitting still. Most of the people being interviewed in LA were contradicting the reporters recounting of events and stating they were not aware of the quake and didn't feel it. It always amazes me how oblivious the major media outlets are to the existence of millions of people that don't live at the beach or in Hollywood. Everyday I am more convinced that the media engages in the creation of drama, fear, and the perception of crisis simply to keep you glued to the tube. Here is some advice. Turn off your television and live life. If you are spending more than 30 minutes a day on getting news, you are wasting time and living your life in fear of the next crisis. There are better things to do.
If your community offers a CERT program, I suggest you sign up. This will give you some basic emergency response training and help to prepare you to care for yourself and your family in the event of an emergency. Knowing what to do can go a long way to helping ease your nerves and ensure your safety.
Sure, it shakes you to the core and puts you on edge for a few days. Many people which are not native to California will realize they are out of their comfort zone and don't like it here. Rest assured, in a few days, this will just be a distant memory. Be sure that while the memory is fresh in your mind you review and update your Emergency Preparedness Plan or create one if you do not have one.
I do not endorse any of the links below, nor am I responsible for their content. They are provided here for your convienience.
Web Resources:
Federal Emergency Management Administration
Ready America - Family Emergency Plan
Emergency Essentials
Search the Inland Empire are MLS no registration required!
What is your home is worth? No registration required.
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