Seismic retrofits can help secure California’s future

OPINION – California, known for its picturesque landscapes, technological innovations, and diverse culture, is also synonymous with a more dire and costly geological phenomenon – earthquakes. The state is projected to lose an average of $9.6 billion a year from earthquake damage according to a report issued earlier this year from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. One of the primary causes for the 157% increase in Annualized Earthquake Loss (AEL) from the 2017 estimate are older structures – including many homes which are not retrofitted to withstand violent shaking.

This data underscores the importance of being prepared. The Golden State lies atop the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Our state shoulders nearly 2/3 of the nation’s earthquake risk. While we can’t control the earth’s movements, we can take proactive steps to mitigate the devasting impact of earthquakes.  Strengthening your home by securing its foundation is a wise action to help prevent injury and costly damage.

The California Residential Mitigation Program’s Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) grant program can help strengthen older homes and protect families. In a Brace + Bolt retrofit, the foundation is bolted to the frame of the house, and if it has short stud walls around the crawl space (or cripple wall), it is braced with plywood. This helps prevent the house from sliding or toppling off its foundation during an earthquake.

Retrofits can save lives – homes and buildings constructed before modern seismic codes are particularly vulnerable when faced with a major earthquake. Many Californians living in higher-risk areas don’t know if their home could withstand shaking from a damaging earthquake. Modern homes, even though they may experience structural damage in an earthquake, are designed to remain standing. However, many homes – about 1.2 million statewide– built before 1980 are considered more vulnerable because they are not bolted to their foundations and lack bracing on the wood-framed walls, if they exist, in the crawl space. These homes need to be retrofitted to improve their seismic performance.

Retrofits can save lives – homes and buildings constructed before modern seismic codes are particularly vulnerable when faced with a major earthquake.

Some critics may argue that seismic retrofits are expensive, but the cost of inaction is much higher – we’ve seen major examples around the world of the damage that can be wrought on unreinforced buildings – Turkey, Morocco, and Afghanistan come to mind. The economic losses and human suffering caused by major earthquakes far outweigh the upfront investment in retrofitting – and our program can help!

Homeowners can find out if they qualify for a grant of up to $3,000 at EarthquakeBraceBolt.com, where they can also find detailed program information, select FEMA-trained, California-licensed general contractors, see if they qualify for supplemental grant funds and view the full list of eligible ZIP Codes and program areas – many of which are in the Bay Area.

Many of us who live in Northern California remember experiencing the Loma Prieta earthquake.  Taking place during the World Series between the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants, the shaking caused billions in damages, thousands of injuries and 63 deaths.

These earthquake anniversaries, as well as the annual Great California ShakeOut, serve as important reminders to take the necessary steps to be prepared. Seismic retrofits are not merely an option, they’re imperative for any Californian living in a seismically active area.

In just a few months, the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program will mark the 30^th anniversary of the Northridge earthquake by officially opening this year’s Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant program. The time is now to get on our list to receive email updates with important information about the program.

With earthquakes, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. We cannot predict when the next costly earthquake will strike, but we can prepare for it.

Janiele Maffei is the Chief Mitigation Officer for the California Earthquake Authority.