Building Safety Starts with You: Learn About Seismic Retrofits this May

OPTIMUM SEISMIC, INC.

May 2025 NEWSLETTER

Building Safety Starts with You: Learn About Seismic Retrofits this May

Ali Sahabi, GEC
Principal,
Optimum Seismic, Inc.

May is Building Safety Month, an international campaign designed to raise awareness about the importance of building safety and the role it plays in protecting people, property, and communities. This month-long initiative encourages individuals, property owners, and businesses to reflect on the safety of the structures around them and take proactive steps to address potential risks. From fire prevention to earthquake preparedness, Building Safety Month highlights various aspects of building safety, underscoring the significance of proactive measures like seismic retrofitting to ensure long-term safety and resilience.

As we celebrate Building Safety Month, it’s the perfect time to assess the safety of your property, especially in earthquake-prone areas. Seismic retrofitting is a smart investment for strengthening buildings and minimizing the risk of damage during an earthquake. Whether you’re managing an older apartment building or a commercial space, incorporating retrofitting measures can significantly reduce the financial and personal losses associated with earthquakes.

Monster quake could sink parts of California, increasing flood risk

A long-feared monster earthquake off California, Oregon and Washington could cause some coastal areas to sink by more than 6 feet, dramatically heightening the risk of flooding and radically reshaping the region with little to no warning.

Those are the findings of a new study that examined the repercussions of a massive earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone, which stretches from Northern California up to Canada’s Vancouver Island.
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1,100 Seattle buildings in need of retrofit to withstand quake forces

April 29, 2025, marks 60 years since a deadly earthquake hit western Washington. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake, centered near Des Moines, shook the ground for about 45 seconds on April 29, 1965.

Three people died from falling debris in Pioneer Square, and another four died from heart failure associated with the earthquake.
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The Julian earthquake in southern California issues reminder to be prepared

Those who live in California know it is earthquake country, and they need to be prepared. But how prepared? Should you plan to rely on your neighbor’s generator and stocked garage freezer for food? Do you really need three or more days of water? Trust us, you don’t want to shake your head after a large quake, saying ‘if only I had …’
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How a Nifty Government Tool Knows About Earthquakes Before You Feel Them

Millions of people across Southern California learned about a 5.2-magnitude earthquake that hit San Diego County on Monday not from their windows rattling or their picture frames clattering, but from a noisy alert on their mobile phones seconds before the shaking started.

Optimum Seismic Attends CALBO’s 63rd Annual Meeting

Optimum Seismic, Inc. was proud to attend CALBO’s 63rd Annual Business Meeting, where we had the opportunity to connect with California’s building officials and industry leaders dedicated to public safety and resilience. Events like these highlight the essential role building officials play in safeguarding our communities. A special thank you to the CALBO team for hosting such a well-organized and memorable event.
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A second ‘violent’ quake strikes near Eureka

The Optimum Seismic team has been one of the leading engineering and construction companies dealing with earthquake retrofits and renovations in California since 1984. We are available to help with analysis or construction of your project.

Contact Optimum Seismic to set up your complimentary property assessment today. Call (833) 978-7664.

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