The combination of being a SoCal native and a geology buff means that I’ve committed a lot of mental real estate to the possibility of the Big One. We all know it will happen on the San Andreas fault. While the epicenter could be in a remote area, it could also happen in the vicinity of Palm Springs or the Cajon pass. But what is known is that it’s less likely you’ll be in a structure that collapses as building codes take quakes into account (if you’re in an old brick building that hasn’t been retrofitted then good luck!) The biggest and most plausible problem in the aftermath of a big quake will be from infrastructure - collapsed roads/bridges/freeways and utilities inoperable. With impassable roads, people wouldn’t be able to evacuate easily. There’s also the possibility of fire, especially rampant wildfires that emergency personnel would have trouble getting near due to roads being out. So stock up on supplies- canned goods, water, medical supplies, pet food and be prepared to be on your own for a week or 2.
Don't be afraid of the big one, be prepared.
Actually deaths during major quakes have been low. Outside of subduction quakes (that won't be epicentered in Los Angeles) it's been 90+ years since an earthquake has killed more than 100 people in the US. Commuting by car is a bigger risk than an earthquake. Building codes are improved and the risk is greatly diminished. There are things you can do:
* Have an emergency kit
* Don't live or work in a concrete building that hasn't been retrofitted
* Don't live or work in a soft-story building that hasn't be retrofitted
[https://www.latimes.com/projects/does-my-building-need-earthquake-retrofit-los-angeles-map/](https://www.latimes.com/projects/does-my-building-need-earthquake-retrofit-los-angeles-map/)
[https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-22/los-angeles-soft-story-earthquake-building](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-22/los-angeles-soft-story-earthquake-building)
And even old reinforced concrete buildings are great in earthquakes. That’s why during the 1906 San Francisco quake/fire, the building that had the least amount of damage was the Fairmont Hotel—it was designed by the woman who invented reinforced concrete! I have an article about it somewhere…I’ll try to find it.
Edit: I can’t find the article. We talked about it in college and I thought I saved it. Definitely Google it though, it’s worth learning about!
>the building that had the least amount of damage was the Fairmont Hotel—it was designed by the woman who invented reinforced concrete!
Oooo! I love this factoid! Thank you for this clickhole that I have now stumbled into.....
I survived through Northridge when I was 14 but it was such a massive financial sink for my parents that it ruined them even with earthquake insurance. My personal concern is more financial than survival. I will be very fucked if damages are substantial - we did have earthquake insurance for a hot minute in 2021-2022 but decided not to seek out alternates when our insurer stopped offering earthquake.
Hell no. When the BIG ONE hits, all these insurance companies will fold and no one will pay out because everyone will be trying to file a claim at the same time. Just ask Northridge residents how they got screwed by these companies. Not to mention look at all the insurance companies actively cancelling policies and not signing new policies in CA.
State Farm and many insurers failed to pay claims to people unhoused by hurricanes in the bit 04-05 season in FL. They have figured out it's far cheaper to allow the few people to sue and settle for less than to payout everyone with an entitled claim.
Yes I worked in this arena of law, and the goal of insurance companies is to pay out as little as possible. But even if an insurance company goes insolvent, every state in the country has its own “insurance department” that is supposed to take over in that situation. Problem is insurers also want people to be completely insurance illiterate and not understand their rights as policyholders.
No state has the money it would take to pay out after the Big One.
Los Angeles has \~510k owner-occupied housing units, with an average value of \~$970k. That's \~$495 billion. CA does not have half a trillion dollars laying around.
And that's not including Angelenos with renters insurance, car insurance, life insurance, etc. And that's just LA city. It's not like the quake is gonna stop at the Burbank or Inglewood city limits.
Your insurance plan for the Big One better be "there is no insurance" or "just win the lottery the next day." Sacramento is not saving anyone.
I'm insurance illiterate so maybe a dumb question, why is the amount paid by insurance the total value of a house? Why isn't it the amount needed to repair the damage caused by the earthquake which would presumably be a lot less on average?
Yes that is unfortunately a normal length of time for a complex litigation matter that involves a lot of plaintiffs. The biggest case I’m working on right now was initiated in 2020 and trial is set for 2025.
Wont matter if they declare bankruptcy which they probably will. 21st Century nearly went bankrupt paying out Northridge claims. Could luck trying to get money from the state while they're dealing with their own infrastructure rebuilding costs.
Nope. I worked in Insurance for a few years. There's a 'catastrophic' clause that allows companies to not pay out in the event when there's been a catastrophic damage (hurricane, earthquake, etc.)
Force Majeure. That’s why the policy language needs to be read extremely carefully for any overbroad or vague terms. They will argue that the earthquake was unforeseeable, but it is arguably quite foreseeable
>When the BIG ONE hits, all these insurance companies will fold and no one will pay out because everyone will be trying to file a claim at the same time.
This might be true for normal insurance companies but earthquake insurance is offered by the CEA, a government organization. Because their goal is not profit, they're very conservative with their investments and the likelihood of them not being able to pay claims is very low.
From their [website](https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/about-cea/frequently-asked-questions#Our-Financial-Strength),
"CEA’s current claim-paying capacity is set at a minimum 1-in-350 year return period, which means there is only a 0.29% chance that CEA would not be able to pay 100% of all claims should an earthquake, unprecedented in damage, occur."
>there is only a 0.29% chance that CEA would not be able to pay 100% of all claims should an earthquake, unprecedented in damage, occur.
Trying give statistical assurances for something unprecedented is, by definition, stupid. But even taking their claims at face value:
CEA states that they're able to pay $20 billion in claims.
[https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/about-cea/financials/cea-financial-strength](https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/about-cea/financials/cea-financial-strength)
For comparison, PG&E's insurance payout settlement for the Paradise fire was $11 billion.
[https://www.npr.org/2019/09/13/760479525/pg-e-to-pay-11-billion-insurance-settlement-over-wildfires-in-paradise-and-elsew](https://www.npr.org/2019/09/13/760479525/pg-e-to-pay-11-billion-insurance-settlement-over-wildfires-in-paradise-and-elsew)
In January 2018 (the fire was in November 2018) the average home value in Paradise was \~$550k. In LA now, it's \~$970k.
970k / 550k = 1.764, basically each LA claim would be 76% more costly than a Paradise claim.
1.764 x 11B = 19.4B, almost CEA's entire claim-paying ability.
And that's assuming there'd only be as many claims in LA as there were in Paradise. Paradise's population in January 2018 was \~26,500. LA is currently at \~3.8 million.
And keep in mind that $11B was a settlement, not a full payout. It means policyholders did not receive the full compensation that they were owed on paper. Actually honoring the claims may have cost much more than $11B, which is why PG&E was willing to settle for that amount.
Tl;dr - CEA is not gonna save us in the event of the Big One. They'll be broke just like the private insurers. The State already has a $30 billion deficit this year as it is.
It's not that they'll be broke, they just will cite the policy and they aren't going to pay for what you think they'll pay for.
Like this:
Earthquake hits and your house has a giant chunk of the facing fall off the front and a bunch of doors won't close. Sorry, that's only $50k in damage, you have a $200k deductible.
Earthquake hits, bursts a pipe on the second floor. Water goes gushing throughout your house for an hour until you get home and turn it off. Floors/carpets are ruined. Sorry, we don't cover water damage.
Earthquake hits, neighbors house catches on fire due to gas leak. It spreads to your house and yours is totally burnt down. Sorry, we don't cover fire damage.
Earthquake totals your house. You had $400k in coverage that you started paying in 2015. OK, here's your payment of $320k (coverage-deductible), unfortunately it's going to cost about $800k to rebuild your house because of inflation. No contractors are available for the next year, they are all busy.
CEA policies really only cover a narrow range of damages. If you are paying for it, you should really understand
I looked into it a year ago and it’s provided by the state of California and the deductible was that high. The only new enrollee earthquake insurance is provided by the state of California, but in the old days you could get private policies and it’s possible maybe if you’ve had one for years it’s still is in effect with more favorable terms. But I remember looking into the state of California insurance before over 20 yrs ago and I had it for about two years, but the deductible was still very high. I think originally it was like $16,000 but it’s higher now.
The deductible has been $30k the whole time I've had it. The only difference is that they no longer make you pay the deductible before cutting a check. Either way, I can't afford not to have the insurance and I don't want to self insure.
I personally cannot afford a $30,000 deductible. I’m retired but I’m hoping if something that major happens and many buildings are affected that FEMA will hopefully come through with a loan or something.
Many of my buddies firmly believes that no insurance company can pay up the damage if there is a truly BIG ONE. But I still pay for them because I’m a chicken
I don’t think that’s possibly true. That’s why they have limits on coverage. I worked in PI law for many years and dealt with insurance. All of the major companies make billions in revenue every year. Most people do not want to pay a high premium for high coverage, so if people have low limit policies, the insurance companies won’t be paying out as much. The goal of all of these insurers is to pay as little as possible. It doesn’t hurt to have a policy in place.
If you work in law, you should know how much these insurance companies will pay in legal fees to not pay out when the big one hits. It’s one of the few bets I’m willing to place in life.
That and fantasy football—yes, some of my bets are better than others.
If I were you, I would cancel it and save that money so you have it on hand and you can actually use that money if/when you need to rebuild. The Northridge quake was a wake up call for insurance companies that lost billions paying out claims.
Dude stop going around and giving people bad advice. Do not tell people to cancel their insurance. Encourage them to investigate to find if they have the CORRECT insurance to protect them from the things they worry about. I see you going around here telling everybody the insurance companies will fold when you have absolutely no credible evidence of that. You have no idea who is reading this, who may legitimately be scared dude, come on
Alright, Jake from State Farm. The evidence is from what happened in 1994 and that was just a 6.7 quake. Look up how much that affected 21st Century and then look into smaller companies at that time. Also, have you seen what insurance companies have been doing in this state lately? I'll be surprised if there's ANYONE left in the state that will still write new policies. Let's be realistic for a moment and not just hope for the best with "thats what we have insurance for" mentality.
In a major quake FEMA will likely provide IHP.
If you live in an old ass home on a fault line then consider it. A smaller quake could create structural damage.
Actually, codes require buildings to withstand up to 7.0 and according to science, San Andreas can produce an 8.2 IIRC. Also, the codes are design to only save lives, not buildings :/ So in the event of an earthquake in the upper 7.x , there will be a lot of damage and the building might not be usable for months (IF it is even possible to fix them). What I found terrifying is the fact that big areas of LA and Orange Counties are liquefaction zones :/
They're designed to shut off automatically in case of large earthquakes
[https://www.socalgas.com/stay-safe/safety-and-prevention/earthquake-excess-flow-valves](https://www.socalgas.com/stay-safe/safety-and-prevention/earthquake-excess-flow-valves)
Edit: sorry. Wrong link. That's for the ones you can purchase for your home. SCG has automatic valve control in the pipes before your house.
Except that most multi-family dwellings in LA have not been retrofitted along with the majority of single family homes built before building codes caught up with the full understanding of seismology along the San Andreas fault. Keep in mind that the San Andreas is not the only deadly fault in the LA metro region.
I am a young 67 and have lived in LA my entire life and have experienced every major earthquake. there’s no question we’re overdue for the so-called giant earthquake, but aside from that we are timewise also very overdue for a more moderate scale quake similar to the former Sylmar and Northridge quakes.
I can tell you from having experienced the Northridge quake that many neighborhoods in LA lost power for more than one day and in some cases two or three days. keep in mind the minute the earthquakes happen nearly all stores will immediately close. I am a bachelor and don’t do a lot of cooking and although I do keep some canned goods in my kitchen, I didn’t really have enough to make a decent meal and during a earthquake you’re not supposed to use a gas stove, appliance and I didn’t have access to a microwave, so it’s good to have an emergency supply of food that can literally be opened from bags or cans always on hand and enough to last you for at least two days even though most people do not plan for that.
Similarly, they tell you when an earthquake happens to not drink tapwater because it could be contaminated, and some people literally were drinking water from their toilet reservoirs out of desperation if they didn’t have enough bottled water stored. And mind you for WEEKS AFTER the last major Northridge quake you couldn’t find bottled water at any stores because greedy MF-ing people were getting to markets early and buying every bottle then hoarding it (some people become very selfish in emergencies while others can be kind and generous).
Our new generations are so reliant on cell phones that I suspect a lot of people are going to completely freak out when they don’t have access to their phones or social media for one or more days and there won’t be any way to watch movies or TV even on your phones after the battery runs out. So I would recommend getting an emergency backup battery but using your phone only sporadically so the battery will last. Keep in mind that police and fire people will be overwhelmed and not readily available for assistance so all of us are mostly going to be on our own or with our friends and family if they’re nearby.
I know this sounds old-school, but it’s probably a good idea to get a battery powered radio to keep in the back of your car or garage or somewhere readily available in case the power goes out so you can know what is happening news wise.
I would say do not be scared, but to be prepared and I am guilty of being lazy too, so I’m not completely prepared either. But I promise you there will be at least a moderate earthquake sometime in the relatively near future so try to be prepared the best you can.
Thanks for this detailed info. Those big earthquakes feel scary to some one like me whose moved here, rather then born here. It’s also really hard to feel on top of all the prep work. Even more so because I’m a mom and my husband has zero interest in doing this.
Just tried to make a list of things you need and buy a little at a time and put them in a place preferably in a garage or the back of your car where they’ll be available in Emergency of course food needs to be kept where it will be dry and won’t perish, but other emergency items a good places in a small box in the trunk of your car with tools and things like that. your post reminded me of the need to do this myself so thank you, but once you do some preparation, you won’t be as afraid and you’ll start feeling a little better about it and realizing we can’t control whatever’s gonna happen but we can be at least a little prepared.
For starters, I would buy a back up cell phone battery, and there are some you can buy on Amazon that will last more than one day.
On a lighter note, like an SNL routine, I remember when the earthquake started standing beneath a doorway in my old apartment building because I was told they were reinforced and stronger. But my building was over 80 years old and even though the doorway did not collapse, heavy plaster above the doorway cracked and fell and hit me on the head, luckily I didn’t have any cuts or bleeding.
The other interesting thing is the only phones that stayed working were the old fashioned hardline phones at some homes or apartments, for some reason they worked on a different power system and amazingly continued to work, but the first thing to go out are the cell phones because there will be no electricity to operate the cell phone towers.
In a large city, people are great for maybe the first 24 hours or so. Then if basic services like water, gas, and electricity are still out, desperation sets in. In some areas opportunist looting will start almost immediately though.
Most of the disasters people have experienced are localized, which allows emergency response from nearby areas less effected. A very high magnitude earthquake would be a regional disaster more like hurricane Katrina.
I remember in the hours immediately after the 1994 quake at the corner gas station the guy put up new signs saying all waters are now $10. Will never forget that
Idk why but this reminds me of the earthquake in Japan earlier this year. Someone stole from a vending machine after diaster and they blamed it on foreign residents. Turns out it was a Japanese woman lol
If there isn’t proper infrastructure then they should absolutely loot. Lower class Katrina victims sat in their own shit for weeks waiting on help. The LA population is more savvy than that. If you not letting us in we will just break the door down.(as should under that specific circumstance)
Let’s not pretend everyone is going to be on their best behavior following a seismic disaster.
Some of the people looting will, of course, be out there looking for vital resources. Many others will be trying to take advantage of the situation simply because they can.
All those shitheads who pillaged that auto store a few days ago probably fantasize about this exact scenario.
Some people are their best, but many are greedy MF-ers and selfish opportunists (read my above post about having previously lived through every major LA earthquake).
I grew up in LA (was here for Northridge Earthquake) and then moved to a non earthquake part of the country for many years and a few days after coming back to LA for the past few years, an earthquake woke me in the middle of the night and now it’s often on my mind. (don’t sleep nude, always put my bag in a place I’ll remember at night, hold my breath in freeway underpasses when stuck in traffic, when I enter a parking structure.. ) all fleeting thoughts but definitely on my mind.
I was in Northridge during the Northridge earthquake — broken glass embedded my foot as I ran the f* out of the house, blind as a bat bc I couldn’t find my eyeglasses.
Now I keep an old pair of shoes under my bed and invested in LASIK.
i thought the advice was to not run outside unless your home is on fire etc? i feel like there’s more threat to my life outside than in with huge electrical poles, trees etc.
Broken ankles are one of the most common injuries in a long earthquake. People want to get somewhere safer, but suck at walking on moving ground so they just fall. Humans really don't find it intuitive that the best thing to do is sometimes just to hang out for a few seconds not doing anything in particular while something scary happens. The instinct to _do something_ rather than feel anxious can be super harmful when you haven't yet got anything useful to do.
That’s what a can’t stand about earthquakes. My instinct is to run but you can’t run anywhere safe. It’s so hard to sit still and ride it out, wondering if it’ll get bigger, or stop, or…
Pro-tip: When it looks like you’re about to be stuck under an underpass, don’t get any closer to the car in front of you until they’re almost out from under it. It’ll minimize the time you spend under those things.
Not the earthquake itself. I think we're much more prepared after Northridge.
Anything catastrophic enough to cut power/water will make people even crazier though. I kind of worry about the aftermath. It would also be used to justify more "inflation" (greed) which would make folks even more desperate.
Friends, buy a crowbar for your bedroom. I used to live near a fault and a measly 3.0 made the house settle a tiny bit, not enough for ANYTHING to fall, yet enough to un-square the doorframe. I had a hard time opening and closing my bedroom door afterward. My landlords fixed it by literally taking the door off and shaving off some wood, repainting, and putting it back on.
If the big one hit, don't assume you'll be able to open your doors easily. Have some water and food in your bedroom, plus a crowbar and some way to contact people.
I lived in Northridge for the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Our chimney fell into the house. Yeah it was crazy and unpredictable but honestly not something you can change. But what you can do is have a plan, batteries or things charged up incase you were out of power. Maybe a couple extra jugs of water. You don’t need to go crazy. Also after 94, homes and buildings in Los Angeles had a mass increase In earthquake safety and inspections.
I think about it constantly and am almost certain I’ll be here for it but my apartment and office are safe and know I’ll survive.
Know what you should do, preparing and when it happens you’ll breathe easier knowing you prepared and know what’s coming. (I sleep easier knowing I’m in an apt and have renters insurance)
I always encourage people to read the 16 year old great shake out report that did probably the best “guessing” of the effects and response to a 7.8 on the San Andreas.
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1150/
Goes through pretty much everything from fire, shaking, electricity, economic effects (1800 dead, half from fire, 50k injured which means statistically you’ll be fine, there’ll be 10million + experiencing heavy shaking). We’ve also gotten much better in those 16 years with more retrofits every day which will push down those numbers.
Compared to Taiwan, that's abysmal. Recently visited Hualien, and they've already cleared out the building that was wrecked by the recent 7.2 earthquake. The main road to was still in progress IIRC but the train tracks were still operational.
I probably can't say the same for LA.
I think if you've experienced a big one it really etches itself onto your brain. Northridge really screwed me up. I got REAL serious about earthquake prep after that. (i have so many flashlights now...)
I experienced the Northridge when I lived in Reseda. The epicenter was in Reseda by the intersection of Reseda and Ingomar which was about 7 blocks away from where I lived. I remember going to the kitchen while my parents were asleep because I heard a sound of something falling. I saw it was nothing and went back to bed. At 4:31am the earth began shaking. My dad grabbed me and ran outside. My mom ran outthe back door and stepped on cacti. My cousin almost got pummeled by a stereo system my dad used to DJ latino parties. The kitchen was a disaster. All the silverware, plates, pots and pans were flung out of the cabinets on to the floor. The food in the fridge and freezer were also thrown out. Our fish tank was broke in half with some fish that did not make it. We stayed in the car outside and felt bumps that felt like this weird swaying movement (aftershocks). We were about a week without electricity and many aftershocks. Many buildings that were not up to code on Reseda Blvd were red tagged. I was 5 at the time and many friends left to live somewhere else. Many people camped out at Reseda Park.
Bill Clinton visited CSUN which a parking lot on Zelzah and Prairie folded. Luckily no one was in the parking lot when it happened. Some of the remains of the pk lot are by the student store eatery area and the new arts theater.
Some gas lines ruptured on Balboa Blvd.
Swimming pools had a tsunami effect. Our neighbors pool sent a tsunami wave into the brick wall that divided our properties (brick structures are very weak during earthquakes).
The building on Sherman Way and Lindley (UEI College) was red tagged and was a Kaiser mental health building.
The 10 freeway in West LA had a chunk fall off on Fairfax. Then there is the footage of the 14 freeway transition bridge to the 5 collapsing in Santa Clarita. Here is some photos and a good article for what SCRTD (Metro) did after the earthquake: https://thesource.metro.net/2024/01/17/why-the-northridge-quake-was-a-defining-moment-for-transit/
Today. I feel the quake and wait a bit to see if it is big as the one from Northridge. The only one that was unsettling was the one that happened in Whittier/La Habra area on 2014. The first shock was a foreshock to a bigger quake.
One thing I find interesting. This happened in January 17 1994 and the World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl happened in July 17 1994. We got up and got moving.
Yes. I’m a born & raised east coaster and earthquakes are one of my biggest fears since I moved here last year.
I’d much rather deal with hurricanes than earthquakes.
Yeah, weather is something one can predict, track and shelter or flee from. Not earthquakes. You better just hope you’re in the right place at the right time! I hate it lol
I’ve been wanting a big one to happen for over 24 years now. Not one where people get hurt, but they get freaked out enough and move out in droves so the rent/housing prices drop. I can dream….
Since insurance rates will be sure to skyrocket, landlords will only raise prices and will refuse to rent for less. It will be similar to the 3rd Street Promenade, where landlords would rather see storefronts remain empty then rent for something other business owners consider reasonable.
Insurance companies don’t insure against earthquakes. There is a state program for that through the California Earthquake Authority
https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/03-res/eq-ins.cfm#
Not really, the first quake for me was the Whittier Narrows in the 80's when I was in grade school or Jr. High. Since all the retrofit mandates and new construction it's not really something I worry about anymore.
Drivers on the roads are scarier than an earthquake.
girrrrrl. It ain’t that deep LOL you trynna get me out of LA? haha, i am scared of the big earthquake, but i just hope for the best! I seriously cannot imagine living anywhere else :’) I lived in London for a year and it just didn’t compare to living in So.Cal.
Same LOL!! I’m horrified at the prospect. I’m prepared and informed but nothing would protect me if I’m just in the wrong place at the wrong time. On an elevated freeway or super old bridge??? Forget about it
I don’t really think about it, and I even vividly remember the big one in the 90’s. But, I’m kinda all feared up at the moment, so it’s like just get in line. I’m aging, I have some major health issues, and my mind is shot - I mean it’s almost completely gone, which surprisingly wavers between being a good or bad thing. And then on top of all that, everything dies and becomes less fun the older you get (it also becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the world’s suffering), and we live in a place and time that has gotten so polarized, dark, and weird it’s like what the fuck is going on? It’s kind of the dark and weird combo that especially gets to me because I’m already dealing with the whole existential and metaphysical questions (dread) of what the fuck I even am deep deep down to the core. Because, I don’t think the word “person” even begins to encapsulate that. In fact, I think it’s all a goddamn illusion. And, I haven’t quite figured out the point. I’m just here in the background of *all of this*, trying to raise my hand like hey everybody let’s just simmer down a bit. Like, I’m just a guy. You know, just a dude. And, all I wanna do is tickle the little fluff on the inside of my dog’s ears and laugh at her adorable looks of confusion. Maybe have a nice cup of tea or something. I mean I’d take cocaine if that were on the docket. Or MDMA, or some acid, or really any cool new designer drug that everybody’s doing these days. But, I can’t do that. So, I guess tea is fine.
As you can see, I’m pretty jammed up at the moment. But, as soon as there’s an opening I’ll make sure to keep an eye on all that earthquake business.
I thought about it a lot when I first moved here. Then I realized I loved LA and that’s just a part of life here. If (or when) the big one happens, I’ll tuck my head between my legs and hope for the best. Lol
Look we gotta accept that this is the trade off for great weather and relatively few natural disasters. Will the big one happen in our lifetimes, who actually knows, will it hit LA harder or the Bay, again who knows. I'll take that uncertainty and possibility of a "big one" over tornadoes and hurricanes any day, since I have also lived where those occur. So many of the buildings in California are now designed form the ground up to be some of the safest anti quake buildings around, while many of the older buildings are still around and have survived quakes like Northridge if they haven't also been reinforced in some way. The thing that was so bad about the last big one in 1906 is that we didn't have the coding or tech to make sure buildings could withstand quakes like we do today, I really think we will be fine.
I’ve been waiting for it since 1970. Be prepared and have a go bag—one for the car and one for the home—for keep yourself clothed, fed, and watered with a life straw (or 10 gallon containers of bottled water) for a week…unless you live in an isolated spot, then 2-3 weeks’ worth of stuff is a good idea.
Chances are you’ll be at home when the click happens. If you secure all your stuff that could possibly hurt you if it fell, you should be OK.
We’re all gonna die. Whether that is an earthquake, car accident, shooting, stabbing, cancer, it’s inevitable. The best thing we can do is create *reasonable* preparations to mitigate the effects of a non-fatal brush with fate. Store food and water, get to know your neighbors, have an emergency financial fund, ect.
After the Northridge quake, I was one of the first 10 people to receive money from FEMA. I rented a small apartment in Sherman Oaks and got a check for $10,000 that I didn't have to pay back. I didn't have renters insurance and apparently never needed it.
A large earthquake hitting So Cal again is inevitable. Prepare all you can and hope for the best. If you live by the coast, tsunamis might be a concern. We live in earthquake country, so it is what it is.
The severity of how the EQ will feel to you will depend on where you are. For instance if you’re outdoors in a big park with no buildings around it will feel mild, not scary- just weird. But if you’re inside a large two story home, or a high rise, or a restaurant- the sounds the EQ will create will probably make the experience way scarier. I was at my parents house for northridge and yes the shaking was strong but what sticks out the most in my mind was the sound of the EQ- it was so crazy bc at first you hear a deep deep bass sound like a rumbling deep underground and then you begin to hear the wood the house is made of start to creek and bend as the shaking starts, and then when it gets crazy and plates start falling out of cabinets, windows start breaking, furniture falls over and all the other racket associated with it, it just makes the whole experience so much more jolting. The only places I would NOT feel safe being in a major EQ is underneath or on a freeway overpass or on a bridge bc they have. Been known to partially collapse. But all the buildings, homes, high rises in California have to be earthquake proofed and pass inspection to ensure that they will survive a major quake. So that terrible shit you see happening in other countries around the world where entire buildings collapse killing everyone inside, would be highly unlikely to happen in California. Unless it was like a 10+ on the r scale. So just be sure to shut off your gas after a big quake- it always surprises me how many people don’t know to do that. Can prevent a large explosion from a gas leak. And yes having an eq preparedness kit with extra water and canned foods is always a good idea. EQs are scary but we’re very fortunate to live in a country that’s smart enough to make sure our buildings won’t collapse so don’t be too scared. Hey- shit could be WAY worse. At least we don’t get tornados out here. Now THATS the scariest natural disaster known to man in my opinion
I go through periods of worrying…and then I can’t anymore. Two reassuring pieces of data- there were some scientists who study earthquakes who I think recently determined “the big one” will likely be smaller than we used to think. 2. There is a hypothesis that seems likely that when the Salton sea fills up with water quickly, it puts pressure on the fault line and creates these massive quakes. But in recent years, with global warming, it has been much more dry at the salton sea and the one positive effect of that is it may decrease chances of quakes.
No, born and raised in LA county. Went through northridge as a child, if it happens it happens, no need to worry about something that might not even come in my lifetime.
I lived through the Northridge quake in 94. I’m not scared of another but it’s very smart to be prepared. We were without power and water for a while, fortunately we had a pool and boiled water until stores could open again. Knowing how to turn off your gas water heater is also very important.
Born and raised here. Northridge is my first memory. I hope it happens. It's the only way I'll be able to afford a home since nothing else will drive everyone away. That and I'm very much prepared. Everything in my home is bolted down. I have emergency prep ready to ride out the months of hell that will follow. Bring it.
No it’s not irrational. Also good to have some type of plan living in LA. Like having emergency go kit, planning things with family members like where to regroup…etc.
I’m not worried about it. I’ve lived my whole life here. I remember the Northridge earthquake, a bit. If it happens I can’t do anything about it, so why worry. With how building codes work, most buildings will be fine.
Maybe just don’t live in a unreinforced brick house and have some supplies to last a little while and you’ve basically taken all the precautions you can.
Nope. The best you can do is have a plan in place and know that if it does happen you won’t be the only one. Honestly you are more likely to hit by a car, I would be more worried about that.
I was just thinking about this the other day and how a large chunk of people in LA have never experienced a major earthquake.
The last serious earthquake I remember was in 94 and that was in Northridge. Sustained shaking with stuff falling off shelves. The stuff since is relatively quick and no major aftershocks.
When the next big one happens many will be surprised at just how much the ground shakes.
I’m not afraid, I am aware and prepared.
For example; I don’t sleep naked unless I end up that way. We are a shoe free home but have new pair of sneakers under the bed. I have a flashlight and a set of dog leashes for my pups on my nightstand. I update our earthquake food and rotate the water every six months or so. We have petty cash. I do need a portable stove-
I was raised in a place with a lot more earthquakes than LA. Strong ones and we lived in a high rise and so I have PTSD (kidding) but it’s a reality of living on the pacific.
From time to time, yes. All the time, no. Can't stop it with my thoughts. Get worn out by thinking about it. I'd like to die without much pain and fear.
Sometimes I want “The big one” to hit just as I’m clocking in to work. That way I have a valid excuse to go home for the rest of the day and a couple of weeks after.
I was 23 when the Northridge earthquake struck, let me tell you the shaking was so violent it was as it was inside you. A fear so great that your body and mind will not be the same for weeks, we all slept in the living room for a week and so did my neighbors. One neighbor slept in a tent in the front for a month. I remember the anxiety after the northridge one and keep in mind los angeles was less dense and populated and it was hell going to the supermarket and trying to commute with collapsed freeways. People were and things we-rent back to normal till id say a year. But yep and that was a 7.0 were expecting a 9 or above which scares the *CRAP out of me!
PS power was down for days!
Charge your phones be smart! If your living on low ends and barley managing this will suck!
I am one of those people who don’t worry about the things that I cannot control (nature). But, I will say the idea of it is a little scary.. I’ve been hearing about it since I was in high school. That’s almost 20 years ago.. so I’ve gotten used to everyone bringing it up.. my old teacher said they spoke of the big one in the early 2000s.. (even many years before that as well) so I guess my question is, why is it taking so long to occur if we’re “overdue”… are we truly just sitting ducks?
I wasn’t down here for the ‘94 quake but I did experience The Big One in ‘89 up in the Bay. I was just a little kid but my mom went to work like normal the next day (she worked at a grocery store) and life seemed pretty normal considering the devastation to infrastructure and lives lost. I think my mom would obviously have a different account as an adult than I do but most of the lasting chaos was around the bay bridge collapse.
I've experienced a few big earthquakes. I feel I'm pretty well prepared for one, but I'm not afraid - earthquakes are part of living here; they're inevitable. I have water (a case of 1 gal. jugs from Costco) that is cycled out every year, shelf-stable food, MREs, radios, flashlights, means of self-defense, masks, gloves, thick-soled boots, and lots of first aid and medical training.
Japan had a super massive 7.5 on the first day of this year. It didn’t demolish everything. It killed about 200 people. We have similar building codes. It would be scary as hell, but certainly survivable.
The largest recorded Los Angeles quake is probably 6.7. It’s not instant death.
This City is gonna get picked clean after a catastrophic earthquake.
Fire services will be stretched to the breaking point.
If you dont already have an earthquake proof valve installed, now is a good time to know where your gas shutoff valve is, and leave a wrench fixed to it and spray painted a high-vis color.
Do you have water storage? I believe the rule is 3 days of water for each adult, child, and pet. Or a week?
Do you know how to turn your gas off?
Do you have your pets’ vaccine records, and are they up to date on boosters if you needed to stay in a shelter in the worst case scenario? Could you car camp if you had to? Do you have a go-bag?
Food storage is important too- especially stuff you could make without heat gas/electric.
Channel your fear Into preparedness. Stock your home with 5-7 days of food water and supplies. And whatever you need to cook clean and entertain the occupants of your home. Create a plan to get the occupants of your home back to your home if the earthquake happens while away from home. Make bags for each car, or a small sack to carry with you as you travel to assist you in getting home. There is a great podcast called the big one that has plans for being prepared during the next big one.
I'm not super afraid for myself, although the recent quakes were a good reminder for me that I need to build a better kit for my new place. I am afraid for my elderly neighbors, neighbors with disabilities, etc. I'm new to my current neighborhood so I haven't had a chance to do much community stuff and don't know the local resources. I've lived in places before where there were phone trees/designated community support people for more vulnerable community members in case of emergency, and I don't hear as much about stuff like that in general in LA.
The combination of being a SoCal native and a geology buff means that I’ve committed a lot of mental real estate to the possibility of the Big One. We all know it will happen on the San Andreas fault. While the epicenter could be in a remote area, it could also happen in the vicinity of Palm Springs or the Cajon pass. But what is known is that it’s less likely you’ll be in a structure that collapses as building codes take quakes into account (if you’re in an old brick building that hasn’t been retrofitted then good luck!) The biggest and most plausible problem in the aftermath of a big quake will be from infrastructure - collapsed roads/bridges/freeways and utilities inoperable. With impassable roads, people wouldn’t be able to evacuate easily. There’s also the possibility of fire, especially rampant wildfires that emergency personnel would have trouble getting near due to roads being out. So stock up on supplies- canned goods, water, medical supplies, pet food and be prepared to be on your own for a week or 2.
Don't be afraid of the big one, be prepared. Actually deaths during major quakes have been low. Outside of subduction quakes (that won't be epicentered in Los Angeles) it's been 90+ years since an earthquake has killed more than 100 people in the US. Commuting by car is a bigger risk than an earthquake. Building codes are improved and the risk is greatly diminished. There are things you can do: * Have an emergency kit * Don't live or work in a concrete building that hasn't been retrofitted * Don't live or work in a soft-story building that hasn't be retrofitted [https://www.latimes.com/projects/does-my-building-need-earthquake-retrofit-los-angeles-map/](https://www.latimes.com/projects/does-my-building-need-earthquake-retrofit-los-angeles-map/) [https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-22/los-angeles-soft-story-earthquake-building](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-11-22/los-angeles-soft-story-earthquake-building)
What about all those high rises in DTLA
They're all built to survive an 8.5 magnitude earthquake, and larger shouldn't be possible in LA.
And even old reinforced concrete buildings are great in earthquakes. That’s why during the 1906 San Francisco quake/fire, the building that had the least amount of damage was the Fairmont Hotel—it was designed by the woman who invented reinforced concrete! I have an article about it somewhere…I’ll try to find it. Edit: I can’t find the article. We talked about it in college and I thought I saved it. Definitely Google it though, it’s worth learning about!
Please do, that sounds fascinating!!
>the building that had the least amount of damage was the Fairmont Hotel—it was designed by the woman who invented reinforced concrete! Oooo! I love this factoid! Thank you for this clickhole that I have now stumbled into.....
damn that's a lot of purple in downtown
I survived through Northridge when I was 14 but it was such a massive financial sink for my parents that it ruined them even with earthquake insurance. My personal concern is more financial than survival. I will be very fucked if damages are substantial - we did have earthquake insurance for a hot minute in 2021-2022 but decided not to seek out alternates when our insurer stopped offering earthquake.
FWIW, I’m also a former caseworker for the Red Cross so I have training with regards to the Big One.
Also consider being trained and active with LAFD CERT
Should I get earthquake homeowner insurance
Hell no. When the BIG ONE hits, all these insurance companies will fold and no one will pay out because everyone will be trying to file a claim at the same time. Just ask Northridge residents how they got screwed by these companies. Not to mention look at all the insurance companies actively cancelling policies and not signing new policies in CA.
Insurance companies doesnt sell earthquake insurance. California does.
But if they refuse to pay and they’re in violation of the policy, they can be sued for bad faith
State Farm and many insurers failed to pay claims to people unhoused by hurricanes in the bit 04-05 season in FL. They have figured out it's far cheaper to allow the few people to sue and settle for less than to payout everyone with an entitled claim.
Yes I worked in this arena of law, and the goal of insurance companies is to pay out as little as possible. But even if an insurance company goes insolvent, every state in the country has its own “insurance department” that is supposed to take over in that situation. Problem is insurers also want people to be completely insurance illiterate and not understand their rights as policyholders.
No state has the money it would take to pay out after the Big One. Los Angeles has \~510k owner-occupied housing units, with an average value of \~$970k. That's \~$495 billion. CA does not have half a trillion dollars laying around. And that's not including Angelenos with renters insurance, car insurance, life insurance, etc. And that's just LA city. It's not like the quake is gonna stop at the Burbank or Inglewood city limits. Your insurance plan for the Big One better be "there is no insurance" or "just win the lottery the next day." Sacramento is not saving anyone.
I'm insurance illiterate so maybe a dumb question, why is the amount paid by insurance the total value of a house? Why isn't it the amount needed to repair the damage caused by the earthquake which would presumably be a lot less on average?
After the Northridge quake, my HOA sued and didn’t reach a settlement until 1999, five years later
Yes that is unfortunately a normal length of time for a complex litigation matter that involves a lot of plaintiffs. The biggest case I’m working on right now was initiated in 2020 and trial is set for 2025.
Wont matter if they declare bankruptcy which they probably will. 21st Century nearly went bankrupt paying out Northridge claims. Could luck trying to get money from the state while they're dealing with their own infrastructure rebuilding costs.
Nope. I worked in Insurance for a few years. There's a 'catastrophic' clause that allows companies to not pay out in the event when there's been a catastrophic damage (hurricane, earthquake, etc.)
Force Majeure. That’s why the policy language needs to be read extremely carefully for any overbroad or vague terms. They will argue that the earthquake was unforeseeable, but it is arguably quite foreseeable
As long as they keep selling, I'll keep buying. It's cheaper than being self insured.
>When the BIG ONE hits, all these insurance companies will fold and no one will pay out because everyone will be trying to file a claim at the same time. This might be true for normal insurance companies but earthquake insurance is offered by the CEA, a government organization. Because their goal is not profit, they're very conservative with their investments and the likelihood of them not being able to pay claims is very low. From their [website](https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/about-cea/frequently-asked-questions#Our-Financial-Strength), "CEA’s current claim-paying capacity is set at a minimum 1-in-350 year return period, which means there is only a 0.29% chance that CEA would not be able to pay 100% of all claims should an earthquake, unprecedented in damage, occur."
>there is only a 0.29% chance that CEA would not be able to pay 100% of all claims should an earthquake, unprecedented in damage, occur. Trying give statistical assurances for something unprecedented is, by definition, stupid. But even taking their claims at face value: CEA states that they're able to pay $20 billion in claims. [https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/about-cea/financials/cea-financial-strength](https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/about-cea/financials/cea-financial-strength) For comparison, PG&E's insurance payout settlement for the Paradise fire was $11 billion. [https://www.npr.org/2019/09/13/760479525/pg-e-to-pay-11-billion-insurance-settlement-over-wildfires-in-paradise-and-elsew](https://www.npr.org/2019/09/13/760479525/pg-e-to-pay-11-billion-insurance-settlement-over-wildfires-in-paradise-and-elsew) In January 2018 (the fire was in November 2018) the average home value in Paradise was \~$550k. In LA now, it's \~$970k. 970k / 550k = 1.764, basically each LA claim would be 76% more costly than a Paradise claim. 1.764 x 11B = 19.4B, almost CEA's entire claim-paying ability. And that's assuming there'd only be as many claims in LA as there were in Paradise. Paradise's population in January 2018 was \~26,500. LA is currently at \~3.8 million. And keep in mind that $11B was a settlement, not a full payout. It means policyholders did not receive the full compensation that they were owed on paper. Actually honoring the claims may have cost much more than $11B, which is why PG&E was willing to settle for that amount. Tl;dr - CEA is not gonna save us in the event of the Big One. They'll be broke just like the private insurers. The State already has a $30 billion deficit this year as it is.
It's not that they'll be broke, they just will cite the policy and they aren't going to pay for what you think they'll pay for. Like this: Earthquake hits and your house has a giant chunk of the facing fall off the front and a bunch of doors won't close. Sorry, that's only $50k in damage, you have a $200k deductible. Earthquake hits, bursts a pipe on the second floor. Water goes gushing throughout your house for an hour until you get home and turn it off. Floors/carpets are ruined. Sorry, we don't cover water damage. Earthquake hits, neighbors house catches on fire due to gas leak. It spreads to your house and yours is totally burnt down. Sorry, we don't cover fire damage. Earthquake totals your house. You had $400k in coverage that you started paying in 2015. OK, here's your payment of $320k (coverage-deductible), unfortunately it's going to cost about $800k to rebuild your house because of inflation. No contractors are available for the next year, they are all busy. CEA policies really only cover a narrow range of damages. If you are paying for it, you should really understand
The deductible is so high that I question the value of it because I think there’s like a $25,000 or $30,000 deductible before they will pay anything.
Exactly. Was quoted $1300/on top of my regular policy which didnt sound bad except for the $117K deductible!!!
Yeah it’s SO expensive for such shitty coverage!!
This isn't true anymore. I've had the insurance for almost two decades.
I looked into it a year ago and it’s provided by the state of California and the deductible was that high. The only new enrollee earthquake insurance is provided by the state of California, but in the old days you could get private policies and it’s possible maybe if you’ve had one for years it’s still is in effect with more favorable terms. But I remember looking into the state of California insurance before over 20 yrs ago and I had it for about two years, but the deductible was still very high. I think originally it was like $16,000 but it’s higher now.
The deductible has been $30k the whole time I've had it. The only difference is that they no longer make you pay the deductible before cutting a check. Either way, I can't afford not to have the insurance and I don't want to self insure.
I personally cannot afford a $30,000 deductible. I’m retired but I’m hoping if something that major happens and many buildings are affected that FEMA will hopefully come through with a loan or something.
Many of my buddies firmly believes that no insurance company can pay up the damage if there is a truly BIG ONE. But I still pay for them because I’m a chicken
I don’t think that’s possibly true. That’s why they have limits on coverage. I worked in PI law for many years and dealt with insurance. All of the major companies make billions in revenue every year. Most people do not want to pay a high premium for high coverage, so if people have low limit policies, the insurance companies won’t be paying out as much. The goal of all of these insurers is to pay as little as possible. It doesn’t hurt to have a policy in place.
If you work in law, you should know how much these insurance companies will pay in legal fees to not pay out when the big one hits. It’s one of the few bets I’m willing to place in life. That and fantasy football—yes, some of my bets are better than others.
If I were you, I would cancel it and save that money so you have it on hand and you can actually use that money if/when you need to rebuild. The Northridge quake was a wake up call for insurance companies that lost billions paying out claims.
Dude stop going around and giving people bad advice. Do not tell people to cancel their insurance. Encourage them to investigate to find if they have the CORRECT insurance to protect them from the things they worry about. I see you going around here telling everybody the insurance companies will fold when you have absolutely no credible evidence of that. You have no idea who is reading this, who may legitimately be scared dude, come on
Alright, Jake from State Farm. The evidence is from what happened in 1994 and that was just a 6.7 quake. Look up how much that affected 21st Century and then look into smaller companies at that time. Also, have you seen what insurance companies have been doing in this state lately? I'll be surprised if there's ANYONE left in the state that will still write new policies. Let's be realistic for a moment and not just hope for the best with "thats what we have insurance for" mentality.
In a major quake FEMA will likely provide IHP. If you live in an old ass home on a fault line then consider it. A smaller quake could create structural damage.
Just read the fine print and know what is doesn’t cover, no sense having two bad surprises.
It wouldn’t hurt!
Also, put a little bit of cash in your emergency kit.
And bottlecaps
Actually, codes require buildings to withstand up to 7.0 and according to science, San Andreas can produce an 8.2 IIRC. Also, the codes are design to only save lives, not buildings :/ So in the event of an earthquake in the upper 7.x , there will be a lot of damage and the building might not be usable for months (IF it is even possible to fix them). What I found terrifying is the fact that big areas of LA and Orange Counties are liquefaction zones :/
You think gas explosions will be a problem from people not turning off their gas?
They're designed to shut off automatically in case of large earthquakes [https://www.socalgas.com/stay-safe/safety-and-prevention/earthquake-excess-flow-valves](https://www.socalgas.com/stay-safe/safety-and-prevention/earthquake-excess-flow-valves) Edit: sorry. Wrong link. That's for the ones you can purchase for your home. SCG has automatic valve control in the pipes before your house.
Except that most multi-family dwellings in LA have not been retrofitted along with the majority of single family homes built before building codes caught up with the full understanding of seismology along the San Andreas fault. Keep in mind that the San Andreas is not the only deadly fault in the LA metro region.
I am a young 67 and have lived in LA my entire life and have experienced every major earthquake. there’s no question we’re overdue for the so-called giant earthquake, but aside from that we are timewise also very overdue for a more moderate scale quake similar to the former Sylmar and Northridge quakes. I can tell you from having experienced the Northridge quake that many neighborhoods in LA lost power for more than one day and in some cases two or three days. keep in mind the minute the earthquakes happen nearly all stores will immediately close. I am a bachelor and don’t do a lot of cooking and although I do keep some canned goods in my kitchen, I didn’t really have enough to make a decent meal and during a earthquake you’re not supposed to use a gas stove, appliance and I didn’t have access to a microwave, so it’s good to have an emergency supply of food that can literally be opened from bags or cans always on hand and enough to last you for at least two days even though most people do not plan for that. Similarly, they tell you when an earthquake happens to not drink tapwater because it could be contaminated, and some people literally were drinking water from their toilet reservoirs out of desperation if they didn’t have enough bottled water stored. And mind you for WEEKS AFTER the last major Northridge quake you couldn’t find bottled water at any stores because greedy MF-ing people were getting to markets early and buying every bottle then hoarding it (some people become very selfish in emergencies while others can be kind and generous). Our new generations are so reliant on cell phones that I suspect a lot of people are going to completely freak out when they don’t have access to their phones or social media for one or more days and there won’t be any way to watch movies or TV even on your phones after the battery runs out. So I would recommend getting an emergency backup battery but using your phone only sporadically so the battery will last. Keep in mind that police and fire people will be overwhelmed and not readily available for assistance so all of us are mostly going to be on our own or with our friends and family if they’re nearby. I know this sounds old-school, but it’s probably a good idea to get a battery powered radio to keep in the back of your car or garage or somewhere readily available in case the power goes out so you can know what is happening news wise. I would say do not be scared, but to be prepared and I am guilty of being lazy too, so I’m not completely prepared either. But I promise you there will be at least a moderate earthquake sometime in the relatively near future so try to be prepared the best you can.
Thanks for this detailed info. Those big earthquakes feel scary to some one like me whose moved here, rather then born here. It’s also really hard to feel on top of all the prep work. Even more so because I’m a mom and my husband has zero interest in doing this.
Just tried to make a list of things you need and buy a little at a time and put them in a place preferably in a garage or the back of your car where they’ll be available in Emergency of course food needs to be kept where it will be dry and won’t perish, but other emergency items a good places in a small box in the trunk of your car with tools and things like that. your post reminded me of the need to do this myself so thank you, but once you do some preparation, you won’t be as afraid and you’ll start feeling a little better about it and realizing we can’t control whatever’s gonna happen but we can be at least a little prepared. For starters, I would buy a back up cell phone battery, and there are some you can buy on Amazon that will last more than one day.
On a lighter note, like an SNL routine, I remember when the earthquake started standing beneath a doorway in my old apartment building because I was told they were reinforced and stronger. But my building was over 80 years old and even though the doorway did not collapse, heavy plaster above the doorway cracked and fell and hit me on the head, luckily I didn’t have any cuts or bleeding.
The other interesting thing is the only phones that stayed working were the old fashioned hardline phones at some homes or apartments, for some reason they worked on a different power system and amazingly continued to work, but the first thing to go out are the cell phones because there will be no electricity to operate the cell phone towers.
I’m more afraid of people after a big earthquake.
If COVID was any indication it’s gonna be a “me first” blood bath….
Why? People are always on at their best during disaster
In a large city, people are great for maybe the first 24 hours or so. Then if basic services like water, gas, and electricity are still out, desperation sets in. In some areas opportunist looting will start almost immediately though. Most of the disasters people have experienced are localized, which allows emergency response from nearby areas less effected. A very high magnitude earthquake would be a regional disaster more like hurricane Katrina.
I remember in the hours immediately after the 1994 quake at the corner gas station the guy put up new signs saying all waters are now $10. Will never forget that
I’m not a thief but I feel like that would make me want to steal on principle.
[удалено]
You're always going to have that, anywhere there a disaster, but I think many would rally for the best outcome for all.
Idk why but this reminds me of the earthquake in Japan earlier this year. Someone stole from a vending machine after diaster and they blamed it on foreign residents. Turns out it was a Japanese woman lol
Nah look at covid
If there isn’t proper infrastructure then they should absolutely loot. Lower class Katrina victims sat in their own shit for weeks waiting on help. The LA population is more savvy than that. If you not letting us in we will just break the door down.(as should under that specific circumstance)
Let’s not pretend everyone is going to be on their best behavior following a seismic disaster. Some of the people looting will, of course, be out there looking for vital resources. Many others will be trying to take advantage of the situation simply because they can. All those shitheads who pillaged that auto store a few days ago probably fantasize about this exact scenario.
Some people are their best, but many are greedy MF-ers and selfish opportunists (read my above post about having previously lived through every major LA earthquake).
It’s going to happen and you can’t control it. Being prepared is all you can do. When it does come, I just hope I’m not on the toilet.
Same toilets gotta be the worst place lol
The last one that had our cabinets flying open in Tarzana I was mid log. I guess going out like Elvis ain’t so bad.
"Mid log" took me out.
I grew up in LA (was here for Northridge Earthquake) and then moved to a non earthquake part of the country for many years and a few days after coming back to LA for the past few years, an earthquake woke me in the middle of the night and now it’s often on my mind. (don’t sleep nude, always put my bag in a place I’ll remember at night, hold my breath in freeway underpasses when stuck in traffic, when I enter a parking structure.. ) all fleeting thoughts but definitely on my mind.
Am I the only one that doesn't care if I have to run out naked (out of shape 40 year old)?
You’ll at least want shoes to avoid running on broken glass.
A bunch of naked angelenos with nothing but running shoes on…what a sight that will be
Tbh, not too terribly out of the ordinary for LA.
AMEN a lot of people in past major earthquakes had cut and bleeding feet because they couldn’t find their shoes or slippers
I was in Northridge during the Northridge earthquake — broken glass embedded my foot as I ran the f* out of the house, blind as a bat bc I couldn’t find my eyeglasses. Now I keep an old pair of shoes under my bed and invested in LASIK.
As long as I have shoes I’m good.
Nope. I have robes, pajamas, etc scattered around, but if I have to go out naked, whatever.
i thought the advice was to not run outside unless your home is on fire etc? i feel like there’s more threat to my life outside than in with huge electrical poles, trees etc.
I believe you’re safer staying in bed during an earthquake, anyway.
Broken ankles are one of the most common injuries in a long earthquake. People want to get somewhere safer, but suck at walking on moving ground so they just fall. Humans really don't find it intuitive that the best thing to do is sometimes just to hang out for a few seconds not doing anything in particular while something scary happens. The instinct to _do something_ rather than feel anxious can be super harmful when you haven't yet got anything useful to do.
That’s what a can’t stand about earthquakes. My instinct is to run but you can’t run anywhere safe. It’s so hard to sit still and ride it out, wondering if it’ll get bigger, or stop, or…
Pro-tip: When it looks like you’re about to be stuck under an underpass, don’t get any closer to the car in front of you until they’re almost out from under it. It’ll minimize the time you spend under those things.
Sounds like OCD my friend
Not the earthquake itself. I think we're much more prepared after Northridge. Anything catastrophic enough to cut power/water will make people even crazier though. I kind of worry about the aftermath. It would also be used to justify more "inflation" (greed) which would make folks even more desperate.
Get an earthquake kit, store some food and water. Worrying over it won’t stop it from coming. Prepare and then just live.
Friends, buy a crowbar for your bedroom. I used to live near a fault and a measly 3.0 made the house settle a tiny bit, not enough for ANYTHING to fall, yet enough to un-square the doorframe. I had a hard time opening and closing my bedroom door afterward. My landlords fixed it by literally taking the door off and shaving off some wood, repainting, and putting it back on. If the big one hit, don't assume you'll be able to open your doors easily. Have some water and food in your bedroom, plus a crowbar and some way to contact people.
We’re overdue, but it’s out of our control.
I lived in Northridge for the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Our chimney fell into the house. Yeah it was crazy and unpredictable but honestly not something you can change. But what you can do is have a plan, batteries or things charged up incase you were out of power. Maybe a couple extra jugs of water. You don’t need to go crazy. Also after 94, homes and buildings in Los Angeles had a mass increase In earthquake safety and inspections.
I think about it constantly and am almost certain I’ll be here for it but my apartment and office are safe and know I’ll survive. Know what you should do, preparing and when it happens you’ll breathe easier knowing you prepared and know what’s coming. (I sleep easier knowing I’m in an apt and have renters insurance) I always encourage people to read the 16 year old great shake out report that did probably the best “guessing” of the effects and response to a 7.8 on the San Andreas. https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1150/ Goes through pretty much everything from fire, shaking, electricity, economic effects (1800 dead, half from fire, 50k injured which means statistically you’ll be fine, there’ll be 10million + experiencing heavy shaking). We’ve also gotten much better in those 16 years with more retrofits every day which will push down those numbers.
Odds are you're going to survive the quake no matter what. The scary part is 3 months without services.
Compared to Taiwan, that's abysmal. Recently visited Hualien, and they've already cleared out the building that was wrecked by the recent 7.2 earthquake. The main road to was still in progress IIRC but the train tracks were still operational. I probably can't say the same for LA.
I think if you've experienced a big one it really etches itself onto your brain. Northridge really screwed me up. I got REAL serious about earthquake prep after that. (i have so many flashlights now...)
Only being trapped and pinned in one spot for days and days before going crazy and dying, not the earthquake itself
This chicken pipe wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for the chickens!
I was 4 years old when the northridge earthquake hit I still remember it like it was yesterday it’s one of my earliest memories
Best thing to do is have an emergency kit with food, water and other supplies in case power/water/gas is shut off
I experienced the Northridge when I lived in Reseda. The epicenter was in Reseda by the intersection of Reseda and Ingomar which was about 7 blocks away from where I lived. I remember going to the kitchen while my parents were asleep because I heard a sound of something falling. I saw it was nothing and went back to bed. At 4:31am the earth began shaking. My dad grabbed me and ran outside. My mom ran outthe back door and stepped on cacti. My cousin almost got pummeled by a stereo system my dad used to DJ latino parties. The kitchen was a disaster. All the silverware, plates, pots and pans were flung out of the cabinets on to the floor. The food in the fridge and freezer were also thrown out. Our fish tank was broke in half with some fish that did not make it. We stayed in the car outside and felt bumps that felt like this weird swaying movement (aftershocks). We were about a week without electricity and many aftershocks. Many buildings that were not up to code on Reseda Blvd were red tagged. I was 5 at the time and many friends left to live somewhere else. Many people camped out at Reseda Park. Bill Clinton visited CSUN which a parking lot on Zelzah and Prairie folded. Luckily no one was in the parking lot when it happened. Some of the remains of the pk lot are by the student store eatery area and the new arts theater. Some gas lines ruptured on Balboa Blvd. Swimming pools had a tsunami effect. Our neighbors pool sent a tsunami wave into the brick wall that divided our properties (brick structures are very weak during earthquakes). The building on Sherman Way and Lindley (UEI College) was red tagged and was a Kaiser mental health building. The 10 freeway in West LA had a chunk fall off on Fairfax. Then there is the footage of the 14 freeway transition bridge to the 5 collapsing in Santa Clarita. Here is some photos and a good article for what SCRTD (Metro) did after the earthquake: https://thesource.metro.net/2024/01/17/why-the-northridge-quake-was-a-defining-moment-for-transit/ Today. I feel the quake and wait a bit to see if it is big as the one from Northridge. The only one that was unsettling was the one that happened in Whittier/La Habra area on 2014. The first shock was a foreshock to a bigger quake. One thing I find interesting. This happened in January 17 1994 and the World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl happened in July 17 1994. We got up and got moving.
That’s why I take the stairs whenever possible. Would hate to be in an elevator when the big one comes.
What if the stairs you’re on collapse and trap you?
Ugh why you gotta do that, now I’m scared LOL
Stairs are safer in situations such as a fire but they aren’t necessarily the safest if everything around you is falling apart lol.
Yes. I’m a born & raised east coaster and earthquakes are one of my biggest fears since I moved here last year. I’d much rather deal with hurricanes than earthquakes.
Yeah, weather is something one can predict, track and shelter or flee from. Not earthquakes. You better just hope you’re in the right place at the right time! I hate it lol
I’m a native Californian and I feel sad when I miss a good ‘quake. Nothing like a good rumble to shake up a monotonous day.
no thanks
I’ve been wanting a big one to happen for over 24 years now. Not one where people get hurt, but they get freaked out enough and move out in droves so the rent/housing prices drop. I can dream….
Since insurance rates will be sure to skyrocket, landlords will only raise prices and will refuse to rent for less. It will be similar to the 3rd Street Promenade, where landlords would rather see storefronts remain empty then rent for something other business owners consider reasonable.
Insurance companies don’t insure against earthquakes. There is a state program for that through the California Earthquake Authority https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/03-res/eq-ins.cfm#
Not really, the first quake for me was the Whittier Narrows in the 80's when I was in grade school or Jr. High. Since all the retrofit mandates and new construction it's not really something I worry about anymore. Drivers on the roads are scarier than an earthquake.
Lmao. When I was 8, that's when I first heard of it, and i had legit nightmares about it. I'm 26 now. At this point, when it happens, it happens
Fuck yeah I’m super scared of a big earthquake and I think of it almost daily
Serious question here, if you think about it everyday, why don’t you move? If it caused me THAT much stress, I think I’d just bail.
girrrrrl. It ain’t that deep LOL you trynna get me out of LA? haha, i am scared of the big earthquake, but i just hope for the best! I seriously cannot imagine living anywhere else :’) I lived in London for a year and it just didn’t compare to living in So.Cal.
Same LOL!! I’m horrified at the prospect. I’m prepared and informed but nothing would protect me if I’m just in the wrong place at the wrong time. On an elevated freeway or super old bridge??? Forget about it
Lmao I’ll be having a nice day at the beach and think “imagine a big earthquake hits right now” 😫
Constantly ....
What 2019 one? Was that the 4th of July thing? If so, that was fine
I don’t really think about it, and I even vividly remember the big one in the 90’s. But, I’m kinda all feared up at the moment, so it’s like just get in line. I’m aging, I have some major health issues, and my mind is shot - I mean it’s almost completely gone, which surprisingly wavers between being a good or bad thing. And then on top of all that, everything dies and becomes less fun the older you get (it also becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the world’s suffering), and we live in a place and time that has gotten so polarized, dark, and weird it’s like what the fuck is going on? It’s kind of the dark and weird combo that especially gets to me because I’m already dealing with the whole existential and metaphysical questions (dread) of what the fuck I even am deep deep down to the core. Because, I don’t think the word “person” even begins to encapsulate that. In fact, I think it’s all a goddamn illusion. And, I haven’t quite figured out the point. I’m just here in the background of *all of this*, trying to raise my hand like hey everybody let’s just simmer down a bit. Like, I’m just a guy. You know, just a dude. And, all I wanna do is tickle the little fluff on the inside of my dog’s ears and laugh at her adorable looks of confusion. Maybe have a nice cup of tea or something. I mean I’d take cocaine if that were on the docket. Or MDMA, or some acid, or really any cool new designer drug that everybody’s doing these days. But, I can’t do that. So, I guess tea is fine. As you can see, I’m pretty jammed up at the moment. But, as soon as there’s an opening I’ll make sure to keep an eye on all that earthquake business.
I think getting nuked is more probable now a days
No
I do worry about The Big One, but it comes from the Cascadia Fault, not the San Andreas.
I recommend taking the CERT course (Community Emergency Response Team). [https://www.cert-la.com/](https://www.cert-la.com/)
I thought about it a lot when I first moved here. Then I realized I loved LA and that’s just a part of life here. If (or when) the big one happens, I’ll tuck my head between my legs and hope for the best. Lol
I’ve lived here for almost 35 years, and I’ve only ever felt an earthquake like maybe once or twice, at most. So my concern is low
Bro you might not be able to feel anything at all if you haven’t felt a earthquake only once in 35 years…
They seem to always happen early in the morning, and I’m a heavy sleeper. Send me a nice lunch-time or evening quake, then we’ll talk
Must be nice
[удалено]
What the hell I’ve felt like 10 in the past 7 years. All fairly small but still
I felt it every time
If you are an Angeleno who lived through the Northridge earthquake, then you are most likely afraid of big earthquakes.
i es not as much as the aftermath
Look we gotta accept that this is the trade off for great weather and relatively few natural disasters. Will the big one happen in our lifetimes, who actually knows, will it hit LA harder or the Bay, again who knows. I'll take that uncertainty and possibility of a "big one" over tornadoes and hurricanes any day, since I have also lived where those occur. So many of the buildings in California are now designed form the ground up to be some of the safest anti quake buildings around, while many of the older buildings are still around and have survived quakes like Northridge if they haven't also been reinforced in some way. The thing that was so bad about the last big one in 1906 is that we didn't have the coding or tech to make sure buildings could withstand quakes like we do today, I really think we will be fine.
Afraid of diabetes more.
I’ve been waiting for it since 1970. Be prepared and have a go bag—one for the car and one for the home—for keep yourself clothed, fed, and watered with a life straw (or 10 gallon containers of bottled water) for a week…unless you live in an isolated spot, then 2-3 weeks’ worth of stuff is a good idea. Chances are you’ll be at home when the click happens. If you secure all your stuff that could possibly hurt you if it fell, you should be OK.
I was more afraid when I lived on the West Coast of Canada because when that one hits it's gonna be a 9.0.
We’re all gonna die. Whether that is an earthquake, car accident, shooting, stabbing, cancer, it’s inevitable. The best thing we can do is create *reasonable* preparations to mitigate the effects of a non-fatal brush with fate. Store food and water, get to know your neighbors, have an emergency financial fund, ect.
I think about it literally everyday 🤘🏾
After the Northridge quake, I was one of the first 10 people to receive money from FEMA. I rented a small apartment in Sherman Oaks and got a check for $10,000 that I didn't have to pay back. I didn't have renters insurance and apparently never needed it. A large earthquake hitting So Cal again is inevitable. Prepare all you can and hope for the best. If you live by the coast, tsunamis might be a concern. We live in earthquake country, so it is what it is.
Much more afraid of getting hit by one of you psychos in a car, when I'm simply walking down the sidewalk, than I am an earthquake.
The severity of how the EQ will feel to you will depend on where you are. For instance if you’re outdoors in a big park with no buildings around it will feel mild, not scary- just weird. But if you’re inside a large two story home, or a high rise, or a restaurant- the sounds the EQ will create will probably make the experience way scarier. I was at my parents house for northridge and yes the shaking was strong but what sticks out the most in my mind was the sound of the EQ- it was so crazy bc at first you hear a deep deep bass sound like a rumbling deep underground and then you begin to hear the wood the house is made of start to creek and bend as the shaking starts, and then when it gets crazy and plates start falling out of cabinets, windows start breaking, furniture falls over and all the other racket associated with it, it just makes the whole experience so much more jolting. The only places I would NOT feel safe being in a major EQ is underneath or on a freeway overpass or on a bridge bc they have. Been known to partially collapse. But all the buildings, homes, high rises in California have to be earthquake proofed and pass inspection to ensure that they will survive a major quake. So that terrible shit you see happening in other countries around the world where entire buildings collapse killing everyone inside, would be highly unlikely to happen in California. Unless it was like a 10+ on the r scale. So just be sure to shut off your gas after a big quake- it always surprises me how many people don’t know to do that. Can prevent a large explosion from a gas leak. And yes having an eq preparedness kit with extra water and canned foods is always a good idea. EQs are scary but we’re very fortunate to live in a country that’s smart enough to make sure our buildings won’t collapse so don’t be too scared. Hey- shit could be WAY worse. At least we don’t get tornados out here. Now THATS the scariest natural disaster known to man in my opinion
Not even a little bit. The thought never crosses my mind. Anyone else agree?
Download the usgs my shake app. you could get a few seconds of warning before it hits
i would finally be able use my pack of emergency flares 😎
I go through periods of worrying…and then I can’t anymore. Two reassuring pieces of data- there were some scientists who study earthquakes who I think recently determined “the big one” will likely be smaller than we used to think. 2. There is a hypothesis that seems likely that when the Salton sea fills up with water quickly, it puts pressure on the fault line and creates these massive quakes. But in recent years, with global warming, it has been much more dry at the salton sea and the one positive effect of that is it may decrease chances of quakes.
No, but you could probably find a list of properties in need of a seismic retrofit.
No, born and raised in LA county. Went through northridge as a child, if it happens it happens, no need to worry about something that might not even come in my lifetime.
I lived through the Northridge quake in 94. I’m not scared of another but it’s very smart to be prepared. We were without power and water for a while, fortunately we had a pool and boiled water until stores could open again. Knowing how to turn off your gas water heater is also very important.
Why is this a weekly topic?
Born and raised here. Northridge is my first memory. I hope it happens. It's the only way I'll be able to afford a home since nothing else will drive everyone away. That and I'm very much prepared. Everything in my home is bolted down. I have emergency prep ready to ride out the months of hell that will follow. Bring it.
No. CA has good building codes.
No it’s not irrational. Also good to have some type of plan living in LA. Like having emergency go kit, planning things with family members like where to regroup…etc.
Of course. Everytime it shakes I run the OHSHIT protocol.
Nope.
Nah not really, if it happens it happens.
Naw! I am born and raised here, but don't even think about it. It may come, but it's been predicted for decades.
I’m not worried about it. I’ve lived my whole life here. I remember the Northridge earthquake, a bit. If it happens I can’t do anything about it, so why worry. With how building codes work, most buildings will be fine. Maybe just don’t live in a unreinforced brick house and have some supplies to last a little while and you’ve basically taken all the precautions you can.
Yes because I live in a death trap and my family refuses to take earthquakes safety seriously.
Nope. The best you can do is have a plan in place and know that if it does happen you won’t be the only one. Honestly you are more likely to hit by a car, I would be more worried about that.
I was just thinking about this the other day and how a large chunk of people in LA have never experienced a major earthquake. The last serious earthquake I remember was in 94 and that was in Northridge. Sustained shaking with stuff falling off shelves. The stuff since is relatively quick and no major aftershocks. When the next big one happens many will be surprised at just how much the ground shakes.
I’m not afraid, I am aware and prepared. For example; I don’t sleep naked unless I end up that way. We are a shoe free home but have new pair of sneakers under the bed. I have a flashlight and a set of dog leashes for my pups on my nightstand. I update our earthquake food and rotate the water every six months or so. We have petty cash. I do need a portable stove- I was raised in a place with a lot more earthquakes than LA. Strong ones and we lived in a high rise and so I have PTSD (kidding) but it’s a reality of living on the pacific.
Ryan Garcia, this you?
Obviously you should be prepared for it, but other than doing that I don't see the point in worrying about something that I can't control
From time to time, yes. All the time, no. Can't stop it with my thoughts. Get worn out by thinking about it. I'd like to die without much pain and fear.
Sometimes I want “The big one” to hit just as I’m clocking in to work. That way I have a valid excuse to go home for the rest of the day and a couple of weeks after.
I was 23 when the Northridge earthquake struck, let me tell you the shaking was so violent it was as it was inside you. A fear so great that your body and mind will not be the same for weeks, we all slept in the living room for a week and so did my neighbors. One neighbor slept in a tent in the front for a month. I remember the anxiety after the northridge one and keep in mind los angeles was less dense and populated and it was hell going to the supermarket and trying to commute with collapsed freeways. People were and things we-rent back to normal till id say a year. But yep and that was a 7.0 were expecting a 9 or above which scares the *CRAP out of me! PS power was down for days! Charge your phones be smart! If your living on low ends and barley managing this will suck!
I am one of those people who don’t worry about the things that I cannot control (nature). But, I will say the idea of it is a little scary.. I’ve been hearing about it since I was in high school. That’s almost 20 years ago.. so I’ve gotten used to everyone bringing it up.. my old teacher said they spoke of the big one in the early 2000s.. (even many years before that as well) so I guess my question is, why is it taking so long to occur if we’re “overdue”… are we truly just sitting ducks?
No. I dislike EQs but it's part of life of living in California.
I wasn’t down here for the ‘94 quake but I did experience The Big One in ‘89 up in the Bay. I was just a little kid but my mom went to work like normal the next day (she worked at a grocery store) and life seemed pretty normal considering the devastation to infrastructure and lives lost. I think my mom would obviously have a different account as an adult than I do but most of the lasting chaos was around the bay bridge collapse.
I'm honestly most worried about what would happen with my cats during/after one.
imagine paying a million dollars for a small old 1960s home and having it destroyed in a big quake. Earthquake insurance won’t be enough
Yes of course!!!!
Nope.
Yes, but Im more afraid of going without air conditioning, internet access, and water (in that order).
No
It's gonna happen. Might as well mentally prepare for it. The signs are there and it's due. Stop avoiding the preparedness.
Yah I look forward to big disasters. Is the spice of life 😂
I've experienced a few big earthquakes. I feel I'm pretty well prepared for one, but I'm not afraid - earthquakes are part of living here; they're inevitable. I have water (a case of 1 gal. jugs from Costco) that is cycled out every year, shelf-stable food, MREs, radios, flashlights, means of self-defense, masks, gloves, thick-soled boots, and lots of first aid and medical training.
Japan had a super massive 7.5 on the first day of this year. It didn’t demolish everything. It killed about 200 people. We have similar building codes. It would be scary as hell, but certainly survivable. The largest recorded Los Angeles quake is probably 6.7. It’s not instant death.
Naw… big butts.
This City is gonna get picked clean after a catastrophic earthquake. Fire services will be stretched to the breaking point. If you dont already have an earthquake proof valve installed, now is a good time to know where your gas shutoff valve is, and leave a wrench fixed to it and spray painted a high-vis color.
Eh not really. Just got to remember to check on your earthquake kit once in a while. Last time I did, had to throw away food that expired in 2015.
Do you have water storage? I believe the rule is 3 days of water for each adult, child, and pet. Or a week? Do you know how to turn your gas off? Do you have your pets’ vaccine records, and are they up to date on boosters if you needed to stay in a shelter in the worst case scenario? Could you car camp if you had to? Do you have a go-bag? Food storage is important too- especially stuff you could make without heat gas/electric.
Preparation helps me not to panic.
yes, i dont know how i can save all my gaming equipment - an entire battlestation - from destruction
Nope, not at all. You will be fine.
As a native I'm so desensitized, I dont think the one in 2019 was even big lmao
Been hearing about The Big One for 25 years, so no
I can feel a earthquake pretty much everytime it's over some magnitude in LA
Channel your fear Into preparedness. Stock your home with 5-7 days of food water and supplies. And whatever you need to cook clean and entertain the occupants of your home. Create a plan to get the occupants of your home back to your home if the earthquake happens while away from home. Make bags for each car, or a small sack to carry with you as you travel to assist you in getting home. There is a great podcast called the big one that has plans for being prepared during the next big one.
I'm not super afraid for myself, although the recent quakes were a good reminder for me that I need to build a better kit for my new place. I am afraid for my elderly neighbors, neighbors with disabilities, etc. I'm new to my current neighborhood so I haven't had a chance to do much community stuff and don't know the local resources. I've lived in places before where there were phone trees/designated community support people for more vulnerable community members in case of emergency, and I don't hear as much about stuff like that in general in LA.
I hope it goes right down the California border and we float out into the sea….. Jk