Orange County has a lot to be proud of when it comes to disaster preparedness.

Back in October 2020, fast-moving wildfires driven by 90 mph winds in Silverado Canyon and Yorba Linda threatened thousands of homes and forced over 60,000 residents to evacuate. It could have been catastrophic—but the region was ready. Thanks to modern fire codes, community education on brush clearance, and a world-class regional firefighting force, widespread destruction was avoided.

That’s resilience in action.

When communities invest in public safety, support smart policies, and proactively prepare, we reduce the risks we face. But while we’ve made great strides in fire preparedness, there’s another threat we can’t afford to overlook: earthquakes.

Are We Earthquake Ready?

We all know the basics—drop, cover, and hold on; stock up on emergency supplies; secure heavy items. But how many of us have evaluated the structural safety of the buildings we live and work in?

Many parts of Orange County are located near active earthquake faults or in zones susceptible to landslides and liquefaction—where the ground can shake violently and unpredictably during a quake. From Huntington Beach to Laguna Beach, from Santiago Canyon to Yorba Linda, the potential for seismic damage is real.

If you’re a property owner or manager, now is the time to ask:
Is your building seismically sound?

Common Building Types at Risk Include:

  • Soft-story buildings built before 1978 (with parking beneath residential units)
  • Unreinforced masonry structures built before 1933
  • Concrete tilt-up buildings constructed before 1980
  • Non-ductile concrete buildings from before 1978
  • Steel moment frame buildings built prior to 1996

These structures are especially vulnerable during major seismic events—and many are still standing today throughout Orange County.

Take Action Before the Earthquake Hits

Just as we’ve adapted to reduce wildfire risk, we must now focus on strengthening our buildings to withstand earthquakes. A complimentary property assessment by an experienced seismic retrofit firm like Optimum Seismic can help you understand your building’s vulnerabilities and what steps to take next.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Orange County has proven we can prepare for fire. Let’s show we’re just as resilient when the ground starts to shake.

Contact Optimum Seismic today for a free property evaluation: (323) 605-0000