Some scientists and economists say the COVID-19 pandemic, a rare, severe and widespread crisis, sparked widespread belief in hindsight that everyone should have seen it coming and been better prepared.
This year has been unprecedent – in our lifetimes, at least. Earlier societies are said to have been hit harder in […]
More than 60,000 vehicles pass daily over the new Gerald Desmond Bridge in Long Beach – a 2,000-foot-long expanse of cables and steel connecting downtown and the 710 freeway to the port.
Opened in October, it is built to accommodate taller ocean cargo vessels, which are expected to rise to nearly […]
Half a century ago – on Feb. 9, 1971 – a 6.6-magnitude earthquake rattled the San Fernando Valley, killing 65, injuring 2,500, and causing $505 million in damage ($3.2 billion in today’s dollars).
Forty-seven people perished at one site alone when the San Fernando Veteran’s Hospital crumbled into a heap of […]
The Third Little Pig built his house out of brick, so when the Big Bad Wolf huffed and puffed – it didn’t blow down.
But what if that childhood fable’s menace had been an earthquake instead?
The outcome of that story could be much different.
Brick, concrete, and steel were once considered indestructible […]
Last year, Southern California observed the 25th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake — a 6.7- magnitude blind-reverse thrust temblor that in 1994 caused $67 billion in widespread damage.
It was, and still remains, one of the nation’s most expensive natural disasters.
We’ve learned a lot since then. Thousands of structures throughout California […]
Orange County can be proud!
In October, we saw fire conditions that in other areas could have caused widespread destruction and horror: violent winds gusts of up to 90 miles per hour whipping up flames and embers in Silverado Canyon and the Blue Ridge region of Yorba Linda.
Quickly encroaching precariously near […]
Apartment owners faced with any major renovation, repair or alteration of their building are often concerned with the impacts construction could have on their tenants — and whether the work will require added expenses.
These extra costs can include paying for additional precautions to minimize impacts, establishing alternative parking when assigned […]
Asbestos and lead, once touted as miracle materials for construction, now stir feelings of dread among owners of older apartment structures.
The discovery of these substances in the stucco, walls, paint, ceilings and other components of a building can substantially increase the cost of any demolition or reconstruction project.
Once found, state, […]
What is the cost of being unprepared for disaster?
In California, the numbers are staggering – and growing.
This year alone, the Golden State has seen natural disaster in the form of COVID-19 as well as record-breaking wildfires, bringing price tags to taxpayers in the tens of billions of dollars.
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