35 Years Since Loma Prieta – Are You Ready Yet?
35 years ago
Loma Prieta 6.9 magnitude earthquake October 17, 1989
- 63 people were killed
- 3,757 were reported injured and 12,053 displaced.
- Damage estimated at $6.8 billion.
- 18,306 houses were damaged and 963 were destroyed.
- 2,575 businesses were damaged and 147 were destroyed.
- Among other severe damages, the Bay Bridge was unusable for a month.
72%
“So overall, the region faces this 72% chance of a really large earthquake a magnitude 6.7 plus in the next three decades,” said USGS research geologist Austin Elliott”
An investigative article this year by ABC 7News reports the next earthquake to hit the Bay Area will likely be larger and more impactful than previously thought. Recent data suggests the Hayward fault could see at least a magnitude 7.1 to 7.3 up to a 7.5. Meanwhile, the San Andreas Fault could produce up to a magnitude 8.0. Visit HayWired for info.
Get ShakeAlert®-Powered Earthquake Alerts On Your Cell Phone. Managed by the US Geological Survey (USGS), Shake Alert quickly detects significant earthquakes, estimates shaking, and issues ShakeAlert Messages to partners who deliver alerts to people and vital systems.
The time to get ready is before disaster strikes.
Preparedness in actionable steps. We have created a 12-month Preparedness Guide that breaks down tasks into month-by-month steps. In the guide you will find information, links to credible sources and tips to get you and your family ready. The 12-month Preparedness Guide is free to you. You may download it here.
What is CERT?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a nationally supported, locally implemented initiative that teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities. Since 1993, CERT trains the public in basic disaster response skills such as team organization, disaster medical operations, fire safety, and light search and rescue. The ability for CERT volunteers to perform these activities frees up professional responders to focus their efforts on more complex, essential, and critical tasks
CERT’s origins go back to 1985, when a group of Los Angeles fire officials, traveled to Japan to learn how the Japanese responded to disastrous earthquakes. While there, the visitors witnessed the deadly Kyoto Earthquake and discovered that community participants played a significant role in post-disaster support and response. That same year, a separate trip was made to Mexico in the wake of the 8.1 Mexico City Earthquake that killed more than 10,000 people. LAFD officials observed that every-day people – neighbors and passers by – became first responders when the quake struck, often digging with their bare hands.
The Los Angeles Fire Department created CERT and trained people in a pilot program. At the October 1, 1987 Whittier Narrows 5.9 Earthquake the city recognized how valuable the CERT program was and stepped up to support it. In 1993, CERT became part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offerings to communities nationwide.
CERT’s FREE Spring Basic Training start March 5, 2025. Let us know you’re interested on the form below.
GET ALERTS
SMART 911
Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news by signing up for Martinez Alerts. This system enables The City of Martinez to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, police activity, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. You may specify your home, mobile or business phones, email address, text messages and more.
THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY COMMUNITY WARNING SYSYEM
The Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CWS) is one of the nation’s most modern and effective all-hazard public warning systems. CWS is an all-hazards system designed to alert the community of an emergency through multiple communication tools. CWS is generally not used for traffic alerts. Sign up to receive important alerts from CWS here.
KNOW YOUR ZONE
Be prepared for wildfires that may affect your home. Know when to act and what action to take. These notices are issued for a Zone with an evacuation status. Find out your home’s zone at CWS Know Your Zone . Zone Aware is now called Genasys Protect. Learn more here.
CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
California EOS provides alerts and messaging with critical information. Don’t let earthquakes catch you off guard! Seconds of advance warning can provide opportunity to take life-saving actions. Register for California Earthquake Early Warning. Wireless Emergency Services (WEA) is a nation-wide system providing lifesaving information for the State of California sent by state and local public officials. Register for these free services at Cal OES Alerts .
SHAKE ALERT – MyShake Earthquake Early Warning
Seconds count! Download MyShake iOS/Android. Available in California, Oregon, and Washington.
Visit our Resources page for more!