Supervisor David Rabbitt

As Chair of the State of California’s Seismic Safety Commission, not only is today the Annual Great California Shakeout, it is the 35th Anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake. The 6.9 magnitude quake shook for just 15-seconds but took 63 lives, was responsible for 4,000 injuries (2 outside the building I was working in due to falling bricks), and caused $6.9B in property damage ($13B in today’s money).

Since 1989, Building Code standards have been revised with a focus on seismic safety. Critical infrastructure like the Bay Bridge, Hetch Hetchy Water Supply System and all vulnerable bridges and overcrossings have been upgraded to help them withstand seismic forces.

The USGS believes there is a 63% that the Bay Area will experience a major seismic event in the next 30-years. Many believe we are overdue.

I encourage everyone to take stock of their living (and working) environment and consider the following:
1. Anchor tall bookshelves and other heavy or high furniture to the walls. Be sure to attach the items to the wall studs rather than the drywall.
2. Keep heavy objects on lower shelves—this will keep the bulk of the weight on the bottoms of dressers and bookcases, making them less quick to tip over in an earthquake.
3. Secure framed pictures, mirrors and other heavy objects to the walls with closed hooks or earthquake putty.
4. Double-check that your gas meter has an automatic safety valve. If it doesn’t, replace it as soon as possible. Gas leaks lead to fires, which are traditionally a major cause of damage in earthquakes.
5. Strap your water heater, refrigerator, furnace, and gas appliances to wall studs and bolt them to the floor.

Per the Sonoma County Office of Education, the following schools are closed Tuesday, February 6th:
* Dunham School District (power outage)
* Fort Ross Elementary (damage to school from storm, access issues caused by storm, power outage)
*Harmony Union School District (power outage)
*Kashia School District (power outage and other storm-related issues)
*Twin Hills School District has closed Apple Blossom School, *Orchard View School, and Twin Hills Charter Middle School (power outage)