OPTIMUM SEISMIC, INC.
April 2023 NEWSLETTER
Poll shows overwhelming support for retrofit law to mitigate impacts of earthquake disasters
Ali Sahabi, GEC
Principal,
Optimum Seismic, Inc.
A new poll shows overwhelming support for mandatory earthquake retrofits required of vulnerable soft-story buildings in the city of L.A. — with 80% of Angelenos backing their city’s seismic retrofit law. Retrofit requirements were supported by 88% of Democrats, 77% of Republicans and 78% of independents).
Broad nonpartisan support among residents demonstrates that earthquake safety is not the political issue some believed it once was. It reflects a growing understanding of serious earthquake risks in Southern California, the personal and societal benefits of seismic retrofits, as well as the realization by many that safety is the most important factor in deciding where to live.
What are the threats we face as a city? A 7.5 magnitude earthquake on the Puente Hills fault running through downtown Los Angeles would be five times worse than the Northridge disaster — killing as many as 18,000 people, leaving another 750,000 homeless and causing $250 billion in damage, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and Southern California Earthquake Center.
Read on to learn more about why earthquake retrofits are such an important decision for protecting your building investments.
Poll shows 80% support L.A. retrofit law
Los Angeles residents strongly support the city’s learthquake retrofit law, a new poll has found. Despite comments by some that the law would be politically unpopular, more than 8 in 10 residents back the law because if reduces the chance of earthquake deaths, injuries and damage.
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Soft story single family homes pose quake risk
Single-family homes with living spaces atop garages are common across California.
Seismic experts are raising alarms about these homes, saying they are vulnerable to collapse in major quakes.
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Ambassador Garcetti talks earthquake resilience legacy
Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently became U.S. ambassador to India. Garcetti led America’s second-largest city for two terms from 2013 to 2022. Garcetti left behind a city that’s much more resilient to disasters than he found it.
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Optimum Seismic sponsors USC EXED event
Optimum Seismic, Inc. sponsored a recent USC Price Executive Education Forum featuring Professor of the Practice of Governance Frank Zerunyan, and Larry Kosmont, chairman and CEO of Kosmont Companies. The program helps participants broaden their understanding of current policy issues.
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Magnitude 7.2 earthquake slams New Guinea region
A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea at 3 a.m. April 3. The region is prone to severe earthquakes due to its proximity to the geologically active Pacific Ring of Fire. California also lies along that earthquake-prone region.
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Deadly 6.8 earthquake strikes Ecuador, Peru
A strong earthquake shook Ecuador and northern Peru recently, killing at least 15 people and trapping others under rubble. Debris and fallen power lines littered the streets. The 6.8 magnitude quake was centered off the Pacific Coast, about 50 miles south of Guayaquil, the country’s second-largest city.
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Popular Science outlines building safety keys
The devastating quakes in Turkey and Syria, which destroyed some buildings but not others, has drawn attention to the importance of earthquake resilient architecture and building codes in both countries. Popular Science asked structural engineers why some buildings can withstand seismic shaking, and others can’t.
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L.A. County buildings at risk in major quakes
For six decades, as many as 33 Los Angeles County buildings have been known to be at risk of collapse in major earthquakes.
Following the massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the Board of Supervisors has requested a report on requiring these buildings to be made more resilient to earthquakes. its halls each week.
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Property Managers Use Optimum Seismic for Quake Retrofits
Santa Fe Management company’s Jessie Childers says a refinancing requirement prompted building retrofits.
Santa Fe Management tried Optimum Seismic on one property, and was impressed by the work. She then contracted with Optimum Seismic to retrofit 10 more apartment buildings.
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