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Millions of Californians prepare to participate in annual ShakeOut earthquake drill
(SACRAMENTO) Millions of Californians will take an important step toward earthquake safety this Thursday, Oct. 18, at 10:18 a.m. during the 10th annual Great California ShakeOut drill, by practicing how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” when the ground shakes.
Most Californians live within 30 miles of an active fault. Scientists say there is a 99 percent chance of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake striking our state within the next 30 years.
“Knowing what to do when the ground shakes should be instinctive for everyone who lives in California,” said California Earthquake Authority (CEA) CEO Glenn Pomeroy. “This simple drill will save lives the next time California is hit by a powerful earthquake.”
CEA is the not-for-profit provider of residential earthquake insurance in California and now insures more than 1 million homes. CEA has lowered rates by over 50 percent since it was established in the wake of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, and now offers a wide range of coverage and deductible options.
In addition to providing earthquake insurance, CEA has teamed up with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to establish the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program to help owners of older houses reduce expensive shake damage by bracing their raised foundation and bolting their house to the foundation in accordance with current building codes. Since the launch of EBB in 2013, more than 6,400 homeowners have received grants of up to $3,000 from EBB to retrofit their houses.
“When the ground shakes under an older house that hasn’t been properly retrofitted, the house can act as if a rug has been pulled out from underneath it,” said Pomeroy. “Houses built prior to 1980 often topple completely off their foundation in an earthquake and may not be livable for a couple of years—if they can be repaired at all.”
Registration for the 2019 EBB seismic retrofit grant program is now open through Nov. 13 for eligible homeowners in select ZIP Codes.
About CEA
The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a not-for-profit, privately funded, publicly managed organization that provides residential earthquake insurance and encourages Californians to reduce their risk of earthquake loss. Learn more at EarthquakeAuthority.com.