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Seismic Strong Blog

Earthquake Retrofit Information and Preparedness Tips

Your source for earthquake retrofit info and preparedness tips, helping to strengthen your home and protect your family from seismic threats.

Can an Earthquake Be Predicted?

Can an Earthquake Be Predicted?

California has more than a 99% chance of one or more magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquakes striking within the next 30 years, according to scientists. It is a fact that an earthquake can occur anywhere, anytime, any day in California. While earthquake science, unfortunately, cannot yet predict precisely when the next big one will occur, you can prepare yourself and your family with a scientific understanding of earthquake forecasts and earthquake probabilities.

Is it worth earthquake retrofitting a home in San Jose?

Is it worth earthquake retrofitting a home in San Jose?

Living in California, it is a fact of life that it’s not a matter of if, but when a major earthquake will occur. And if you live in the San Jose area in a home built before 1980, your dwelling may be particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage because it was constructed before modern seismic building codes were put in place. With a 72 percent chance of at least one major earthquake striking the San Jose/Bay Area in the next 30 years and with more than 63 percent of the housing units in Santa Clara County having been built before 1980, it makes sense to strongly consider a seismic retrofit.

Is it worth earthquake retrofitting a home in San Diego?

Is it worth earthquake retrofitting a home in San Diego?

If you live in an older home in the San Diego area, especially one built before 1980, your dwelling may be more susceptible to earthquake damage because it was constructed before modern seismic building codes were put in place. With a 99 percent chance of at least one major earthquake striking anywhere in California, including the San Diego area, in the next 30 years and with more than 53 percent of the housing units in San Diego County having been built before 1980, it makes sense to strongly consider a seismic retrofit.

Is a seismic retrofit worth it in San Francisco?

Is a seismic retrofit worth it in San Francisco?

If you live in an older home in the San Francisco Bay Area, especially one built before 1980, your dwelling may be more susceptible to earthquake damage because it was constructed before modern seismic building codes were put in place. With a 72 percent chance of at least one major earthquake striking the San Francisco Bay Area in the next 30 years and with more than 81 percent of the housing units in San Francisco County having been built before 1980, it makes sense to strongly consider a seismic retrofit.

Earthquake Retrofitting Los Angeles Homes: Is It Worth It?

Earthquake Retrofitting Los Angeles Homes: Is It Worth It?

If you live in an older home in Los Angeles, especially one built before 1980, your house may be more susceptible to earthquake damage because it was constructed before modern seismic building codes were put in place. Many residential buildings in L.A. are vulnerable to earthquake damage. With a 93 percent chance of at least one major earthquake striking the Los Angeles area in the next 30 years and with more than 74 percent of the housing units in Los Angeles County having been built before 1980, it makes sense to strongly consider a seismic retrofit.

Tips for Surviving a Major Earthquake

Tips for Surviving a Major Earthquake

Most Californians live within 30 miles of an active fault. We want to help you get prepared before the next damaging earthquake with earthquake safety tips for your home and family.

What are Earthquake Hazards?

What are Earthquake Hazards?

Earthquakes shake the ground we live on, but they also cause ruptures within the earth, trigger landslides and may even turn soil to liquid. Every part of California has some level of earthquake risk, but some of them can be mitigated. It is important to learn about how the seismic hazards where you live can affect your home and possibly an entire region during an earthquake.

Image: USGS aerial Ridgecrest photo

California Earthquake Probabilities

Scientists say there is more than a 99 percent chance of at least one earthquake of magnitude 6.7 or greater striking anywhere in California in the next 30 years. It is a fact of life living in California that an earthquake can occur anywhere, anytime, any day. While it is not a matter of if, but when—and no one can predict when or where a major earthquake will strike—you can prepare yourself and your family before the next one hits by understanding earthquake probabilities.

Protecting Your House from Earthquake Damage

Protecting Your House from Earthquake Damage

Read our blog to find out the safest ways to protect your house from earthquakes and mitigate damage!

Is a Seismic Retrofit Worth it in California?

Is a Seismic Retrofit Worth it in California?

If you live in California and your house was built before 1980 and has a raised foundation, experts say there is a good chance your house needs to be retrofitted. Strengthening your house with a seismic retrofit is a good way to help prevent costly earthquake damage.

What is Earthquake Retrofitting?

What is Earthquake Retrofitting?

Read our blog to find out what a seismic retrofit is and why you should consider getting it done.