November 2021, Newsletter
L.A. Mayor Garcetti joins Optimum Seismic to mark a major milestone in the city’s resilience
In my advocacy for earthquake resilience, I have had the honor and pleasure of working with many elected and high-profile officials. Recently, I joined Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in a joint press conference celebrating the completion of some 7,000 soft-story retrofits in the city. Mayor Garcetti, with the landmark retrofit ordinance he adopted in 2015 and other positive actions, has been a pioneer in community resilience — and his work is protecting thousands of people. Optimum Seismic is proud to have been a large part of that effort, and we look forward to continuing our work so that Los Angeles and other cities will stand strong after major earthquakes strike.
Major earthquake could disrupt cell service for days or weeks
A major earthquake in California is likely to knock out many communications services for days or weeks, according to a landmark new analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey. The disruption would imperil the public’s access to 911 operators and lead to delays in reporting fires and calls for medical help.
Read More >>
Resilience Advantage Webinar Recaps Series on Nov. 17
Earthquakes and other natural disasters take a heavy toll of deaths, injuries and property damage each year. Buildings destroyed can take years to replace or repair. Many businesses may never reopen. Avoid costly losses by watching The Resilience Advantage webinar series recap on Nov. 17 as leading experts offer advice on how to prepare for disasters.
Register here >>
Assemblyman supports better building standards, incentives
The Northridge quake was unforgettable to Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian. “The sound of the rumbling was something I never experienced before.” And it fueled his ongoing advocacy to make California safer from earthquakes.
Read More >>
Four tips to selecting a qualified seismic retrofit company
Rising concern with the threat of earthquakes in Southern California has many new companies trying to break into the seismic retrofit industry. Be careful not to let an inexperienced company become a costly lesson for you. Follow these four tips to protect yourself and your property.
Read More >>
California offers low-income grants for home retrofits
California Earthquake Authority is offering grants of up to $3,000 for low-income residents to help pay for retrofits to their homes under the state’s Earthquake Brace and Bolt program. A limited number of grants will be awarded. Applications will be accepted through November.
Read More
Quake interrupts New Zealand PM’s press conference
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was interrupted by an earthquake during a press conference. The 5.9 quake shook the room as a reporter asked a question. Ardern gripped her podium as the shaking began, before turning back to the reporter with a grin: “Ah, sorry, a slight distraction. Would you mind repeating the question?”
Read More
Repairs to stop a 58-story San Francisco building from sinking
The 58-story Millennium Tower in San Francisco continues to tilt! In fact the work done to implement repairs have just added to the total amount of tilt to date!! It was in 2016, when the tilt was only 17″, that the residential tower’s condo owners sued the developers and designers from fear of how an earthquake could damage the tower AND their, investments.
Read More
Living through the Loma Prieta earthquake
On October 17, 1989, Harold Tobin, then a graduate student at UC Santa Cruz, was walking out the back door of the Earth Science building on campus when the ground began to shake. Looking over his shoulder, he could see the building move and the windows vibrate. Rattling noises followed him as he stumbled his way along a paved path, trying to stay on his feet as Earth’s unstable surface attempted to overthrow him.
Read More
Major 6.2 quake strikes off coast of Hawaiian islands
A 6.2 magnitude quake struck 17 miles from the island of Hawaii, shaking residents. An aftershock of 4.3 magnitude followed. The U.S. Geological Survey said the depth, location, and recorded seismic waves suggest a source due to bending of the oceanic plate from the weight of the Hawaiian island chain.
Read More
Upcoming Events
Several Earthquake Retrofit sessions for apartment owners and monthly Resilience Advantage webinars are scheduled by Optimum Seismic to help protect our communities. Check the Optimum Seismic website for details.
Click Here
