While there is plenty of information available to the public regarding how to prepare for an earthquake— including how to reduce injury and survive the initial earthquake— there is very little information about how to recover, rebuild and thrive after a major earthquake. Up to now, our emergency-preparedness planning has focused on stocking up on basic supplies to last six to 10 days. What other plans do we need to prepare to recover after a major earthquake?
A regional quake may leave us without access to some of the basic services and supplies we rely on— services that we take for granted. We could be stranded without these services for weeks or months. Would our water pipes, sewer lines, electricity supply, natural gas and petroleum pipelines be able to withstand a major shift of ground movement? How long would it take to repair the damage, and where would the funds come from for costly repairs and recovery?
Southern California Area Governments (SCAG), an organization consisting of local elected officials working together to address regional issues, is working to address these questions and come up with solutions. SCAG officials have partnered with the consultant firm directed by Dr. Jones to begin to address these larger prevention and recovery efforts.
My take-away from the seminar with Dr. Jones is this! Let’s protect ourselves and our families from damage as much as possible, but… let’s put systems in place to get back to business as soon as possible and be prepared to do whatever it takes.
Some other facts I learned that I didn’t know before:
• Two-thirds of our Internet bandwidth fiber cables cross the San Andreas Fault.
• It is recommended that we text, not talk, to communicate following an earthquake— it will use less bandwidth.
• Signal Hill sits on top of the Newport Inglewood Fault, the second-most damaging fault next to San Andreas.
Here is your 21 Weeks to Prepare shopping list for weeks 15 and 16.
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