The Northridge earthquake demonstrated how quickly seismic shaking can lead to widespread damage. In just seconds, the 1994 quake caused extensive structural failures across Southern California. Experts caution that future earthquakes could be larger and more damaging, placing even greater strain on older buildings. Seismic retrofitting is one of the […]
For apartment owners, protecting residents and preserving property value in the event of a major earthquake is essential. A properly designed and executed seismic retrofit improves building safety, reduces potential damage, and helps protect long-term rental income. However, not all retrofit projects deliver the same results. Choosing a qualified and […]
How would a massive earthquake impact California’s housing shortage?
The answer is obvious. A major earthquake that hits densely-populated urban areas would make California’s housing shortage much worse.
Such an earthquake could take a heavy toll on California’s affordable housing supply, particularly the older, soft-story apartment buildings that are most at-risk of […]
In the morning of January 10, 2025, San Francisco Bay Area residents were reminded of California’s precarious geological reality. A preliminary magnitude 3.7 earthquake struck near the San Francisco Zoo, shaking the city awake. While light and weak shaking rippled across the region, no injuries or significant damage were reported. […]
Insurance carriers continue to closely monitor California’s earthquake liabilities, much like they track risks from wildfires, floods, and hurricanes. With seismologists warning that California is overdue for a major earthquake, property owners and insurance providers alike are growing increasingly concerned. As these risks escalate, so do the costs associated with […]
On January 17, 1994, Southern California awoke to devastation as the Northridge Earthquake shook the region. In just 20 seconds, a magnitude 6.7 tremor caused widespread destruction, altering lives and landscapes. Though Northridge was at the epicenter, the quake’s effects reverberated throughout Southern California, including nearby areas like Orange County. […]
The devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria in 2023 served as a stark reminder of the immense destruction that seismic events can bring. With over 50,000 lives lost, these disasters left many Californians wondering: Could a similar catastrophe strike closer to home?
Experts provide a clear answer: Yes, it’s not […]
City of San Diego officials are getting serious about resilience, and they’re turning to the community for feedback on what that means.
In 2020, the city completed a Climate Change Hazard Vulnerability Assessment, which has served as the foundation for a new plan – Climate Resilient SD – to ensure that […]
California’s statewide Senate Bill 721 requires building owners to perform structural inspections of their exterior elevated elements (EEEs). As we enter the final month before the January 1, 2026 compliance deadline, balcony inspections remain a critical part of building ownership, ensuring occupant safety and protecting owners from costly liability.
When is the deadline?
The […]
Before 1980, wood-framed, soft-story apartment buildings became a staple of Southern California’s rapid development. These structures featured open ground floors for parking with residential units above, prioritizing land use over safety.
These structures have since been shown to be among a community’s most deadly. Perched as if on stilts with their […]
