SANTA MONICA – In the wake of Mexico’s massive 8.2 earthquake that has left dozens dead and caused untold damage and destruction, the question about earthquake safety as a whole lingers.
Unfortunately, aside from the beautiful beaches and gorgeous weather, an inevitable part of living in Santa Monica is that the threat of an earthquake is always present. Even though it is not possible to completely eliminate the damage of an earthquake, Santa Monica has taken steps to ensure that that they can reduce as much of the danger and damage as possible.
Earlier this year, the Santa Monica City Council passed a seismic retrofitting effort. It requires up to 2,000 buildings believed to be more susceptible to earthquakes to be renovated. Notices will be sent to the owners of vulnerable buildings, with a timeline of when their safety adjustments must be completed. This is the strictest earthquake law of its kind to be passed in America.
Additionally, the Santa Monica Office of Emergency Management recommends a few things that you can do to help ensure your own safety in the event of a quake.
Get an Earthquake kit: Get an emergency kit with enough supplies to last you 7 days.
Make a plan: Create a plan with friends, family and your business. Make sure to have contact information and a detailed plan of what you will do if an earthquake strikes.
Sign up for SM Alerts: https://www.smgov.net/Departments/OEM/Stay_Informed.aspx
Lastly, if an earthquake occurs and you are near the beach: the Office of Emergency Management in Santa Monica recommends you, “Drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops. Estimate how long the shaking lasts. If severe shaking lasts 20 seconds or more, immediately evacuate to high ground as a tsunami might have been generated by the earthquake. Move inland 3 kilometers (2 miles) or to land that is at least 30 meters (100 feet) above sea level immediately. Walk quickly, rather than drive, to avoid traffic, debris and other hazards.”
In the event of an earthquake, safety information and evacuation routes will be posted. Additionally, check your SM alerts for more information.
Photos courtesy of Reuters.
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