California Earthquake Could Be the Next Katrina

[jenn1977]

U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones remembers attending an emergency training session in August 2001 with the Federal Emergency Management Agency that discussed the three most likely catastrophes to strike the United States.

First on the list was a terrorist attack in New York. Second was a super-strength hurricane hitting New Orleans. Third was a major earthquake on the San Andreas fault.

Now that the first two have come to pass, she and other earthquake experts are using the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as an opportunity to reassess how California would handle a major temblor.

Jones, scientist-in-charge for the geological survey's Southern California Earthquake Hazards Team, and other experts generally agree that California has come a long way in the last two decades in seismic safety.

<http://news.yahoo.com/s/latimests/20050908/ts_latimes/californiaearthquakecouldbethenextkatrina>

[eleonora]

1. The Midwest too is due for the BIG ONE

The Madrid fault. Worse too, no building is earthquake-proof here, and people don't think 'earthquake' when they think Midwest...plus we're on soft ground.

[Cobalt Violet]

4. Boston area too.

But I think many, many will freeze to death this winter. The harvest of the conservative agenda has ripened. The poor are reaping what the conservatives have sown.

[longship]

6. Fortunately the Madrid fault isn't as active.

But as far as size of the danger, the Madrid fault figures prominently in just about any scenerio for "big quakes". And you are right about the problems. Here in California we live with earthquakes every day, hundreds a week statewide. But the Madrid fault is the big bad elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about.

[Jamison]

35. The New Madrid fault still freaks me out.

I live in St. Louis, which is dangerously close. The earthquakes they had there in 1811-1812 were no joke, they had two 8.0 events in that time period. If that fault lets 'er rip like that again, Memphis and St. Louis will probably be decimated, and other cities like Little Rock, AR, Evansville, IN, etc. will suffer major damage. Another 8.0 on that fault would be worse than Katrina IMO.

[eleonora]

42. Agreed

I'm in Evansville now, and we are FAR from getting the appropriate warnings. Sickening.

[MnFats]

66. Last time New Madrid shook, it was felt in MINNESOTA..

could be an ass=kicking all over

[nookiemonster]

43. The New Madrid fault is scary, and not really taken seriously.

I'm in St. Louis too, and many here are oblivious to the facts. The largest earthquakes ever recorded in the contiguous U.S., 1811-1812, were on this fault.

http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eqlists/10maps_usa.html

[happyslug]

36. Some debate on that one.

The debate is whether the New Madrid fault is a 200 or 300 year cycle earthquake. The more recent papers I have read on the net indicates a 300 year cycle which means the next earthquake will hit about 2110 not 2010.

[Zynx]

45. Seismic activity is nowhere near that predictable.

Just when they think they have found a pattern to some kind of activity, it happens either much sooner or it seems to not happen for a really long time. In truth, we have no freaking clue when the next New Madrid quake will strike.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

2. We're Fucked

If it happens in the next few years, So Cal/No Cal are screwed. I figure it would be Massive in comparison to what happened in New Orleans.

[krkaufman]

9. Yeah, Louisiana VOTED for him -- and look what they got..!!!

And then there's what we already saw during the CA energy crisis, Bush taking a hands-off approach allowing Enron et al to economically rape CA citizens.

"Cali can just go Cheney itself."

[Barkley]

48. There are 35 million living people in California:

FEMA could not handle evacuating/ helping the L.A. area (w/ 12 million); we're on our own.

If a quake took out just a few freeways trucks couldnt get food to many places. There would be all kinds of shortages.

If the aquaducts somehow got damaged So Cal without water would be a nightmare.

And the L.A. County Board of Supervisors don't want to keep L.A. King Drew Trauma Center open in South Central ... Shade of racism that we're seeing in NO.

[DemocracyInaction]

3. Oh my god could we be so lucky--a double blessing from God

Think of it...dead niggers in New Oleans and hopefully California blown off the earth. Baby, it doesn't get any better than this................................and you know exactly the entrails of this country that think this way. THEY DON'T CARE. And the ones that do can'tdo anything because those who wish them dead are in control. Of course, once these moron scum eliminate all the "Liberal" areas, they are like months away from economic extinction..but they are too ignorant to realize that.

[DavidDvorkin]

5. All these Democratic places!

Maybe God really is on the other side.

Or maybe it's just happenstance.

[CAcyclist]

59. There Is No God

Thank God I'm an atheist:P

[DavidDvorkin]

62. Indeed

And it is all happenstance.

But if, say, a tornado destroyed Little Georgie's Crawford "ranch," I'd pretend to be a theist and say it was God's will.

[yashuryabetcha]

7. So who cares about earthquakes...

At least Arnold will keep us safe from the truly disatrous prospect of married homos!!!!!!!!!!! (no offense to my gay friends please)

[alittlelark]

8. I understand earthquakes very well due to the '89 Loma Prieta quake.

I keep a fully stocked earthquake kit outside of the house.... all in risk zones should do the same (I'll bet most DUers already do)
http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/978596171691962788256b350061870e/A6BE1FB7591A508D88256CD70058FBAB?OpenDocument

[Redstone]

22. And I just ordered a nifty item from Cabela's to add to the kit:

They have a 12-LED lantern (12 LEDs throw a lot of light; about as much as a large Maglite) that will run for a thousand hours (that's about 41 days) on four D-size batteries.

Cool. I'll do without a lot of stuff if necessary, but I need a light to read by at night.

Redstone

PS: Another great thing to have for emergency lighting is an Aladdin lamp. We use them all the time in the winter, not just for emergencies.

[Joebert]

23. I bought 2 LED flashlight / small lanterns.

They use AAA batteries, which is cool, because I ordered a solar battery charger at the same time.

So if I really get screwed and can find sunlight, I can still charge up for night time.

[Redstone]

27. NiMh batteries are the cat's ass; they can be recharged

a whole bunch of times with no memory effect. the solar chargers work well, and you can even get one of those "dynamo" radios and use the hand-crank to charge a pair of them.

And don't forget the Aladdin lamps. After the last hurricane, our neighbors thought we had a generator running because the light in our house was so bright. But it was two Alladin lamps and a Coleman gasoline camping lantern.

Redstone

[Joebert]

29. I have a dynamo radio already. :-)

I will look into the Aladdin lamps, but I'm single, and won't need much light at night if I were to lose power.

Oh, I just figured out what you're saying. I wonder if my radio can do that. I dont' think so because it has a battery compartment AND the rechargable one for the dynamo. I need to break out the manual.

[Redstone]

30. Some of those crank-up radios will charge batteries that you

put in them, and some have non-removable battery packs.

Redstone

[Dr Fate]

10. Fuck it. Just give me my tax cut.

n/t

[Maple]

11. What I find fascinating

is that FEMA knew New York would be the city of choice for some as yet unknown 'terrist' group.

[ithacan]

12. only if it hits "blue" areas

if the main disaster area is places that vote D, you can be sure the response will be like what we see now in NO.

But if the main disaster areas are red, then I'm sure they'll get the Jeb Bush Florida hurricane treatment... If they can't win fairly, they can just destroy those who vote against them.

[Sabriel]

56. Or poor areas

I'm sure if the wealthy suburbs and beach areas are hit hard, help will be on the way.

[freethought]

13. Has there been any news on fault movement in CA?

Or tremor activity? It was to my understanding that there tend to be seismic 'spikes' before a "Big One". But who am I kidding, that would be sound, professional science. And we all know how much the "Boy King" absolutely loves science! (Sarcasm, drip, drip, drip).

[GRLMGC]

14. There always is

You can't predict an earthquake. It'll hit when it wants to w/ very little warning. There are tremors beforehand but, then again, they could also mean nothing.

[freethought]

15. Only option is to be always prepared and ever vigilant. n/t

[GRLMGC]

16. Always

I feel lucky to live in one of the most earthquake prepared areas though. I figure it could be worse. Lookin on the bright side.

[freethought]

17. Still, it must be frustrating to seismologists

who are trying to unlock that code or signal that may forewarn of something on the horizon. To make matters worse the only time they get good data to analyze is when a "Big One" actually hits! Strange.

[GRLMGC]

19. Yeah, earthquakes are tricky

I'd still rather deal w/ earthquakes than with hurricanes though!

[Carla in Ca]

39. That's the spirit...

We won't get any warning. My husband built me a garden shed about 10 years ago and it is as 'earthquake proof' as it can be. We have two small containers of food and water. It's all we can do.
You cannot panic, just be prepared.

[CountAllVotes]

31. Recent Earthquakes in California and Nevada

This is a great resource - shows all quake activity for about the past week.

You are right, you never know when an earthquake will hit. I've been through probably 100 of them in my lifetime living here in California. The more rural of an area you are located, the safer. I'd hate to think of a 9.0 hitting SF again. It has happened a few times between 1860.

http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Quakes/quakes0.html

[goclark]

55. And we have ARNOLD to "protect" us... : ( : (

[CountAllVotes]

67. the terminator is too busy looting the state employees

He could care less I really think unless his mansion in southern California is destroyed.

Like I said, the more rural an area you are in the better. I keep about 15 cases of water in my garage at all times and many other things like that just in case it happens again.

I was in the Loma Prieta and lived in an area in SF on bedrock. Across the area from where I lived it was a crumbled mess. Watching the Marina burn that night told me that it was not a good idea to live on landfill. You would have never found me living in NO for that reason alone.

What else can you do in the event of a major earthquake? Not much. Just hope that things don't get out of hand as they apparently did in 1906. However during the 1989 Loma Prieta, I remember very well that things were locked up tight that evening. That was within a few hours of the actual quake. A FEW hours, not days, hours. And it was the military, oh yes, I remember those black low flying helicopters with spotlights on them and the City sure did not own them!

[Spinzonner]

20. Yes, there are

unfortunately you don't know they were until AFTER the big one hits

This limits their predictive utility

[Andromeda]

63. California registers constant seismic activity....

we just can't feel most of them. Earthquakes are scary but we Californians have learned to live with them. People are quick to respond here because we've had a lot of experience.

[DELUSIONAL]

18. Or Seattle

they had one shortly after bush stole the white house the first time -- but that wasn't the "big" one.

We also have two large volcanoes Mt. Rainier could impact major metro areas.

[Vietnam68]

47. Absolutely Seattle -- 9+

Every 300 - 400 years Seattle gets a big one. It's been over 300 years since the last, and they're saying it'll be 9+. Won't be much left after one that size.

[LisaL]

21. They sure got 2 out of 3 right so far.

[achtung_circus]

24. I've had one for 20 years

Survival Kits - Sample List

There are six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid kits and supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container--suggested items are marked with an asterisk(*). Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.

Water

* Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
* Store one gallon of water per person per day.
* Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*

Food

* Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
* Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
* Canned juices
* Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
* High energy foods
* Vitamins
* Food for infants
* Comfort/stress foods

First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

* Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
* Assorted sizes of safety pins
* Cleansing agent/soap
* Latex gloves (2 pairs)
* Sunscreen
* 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
* 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
* Triangular bandages (3)
* Non-prescription drugs
* 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
* 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
* Scissors
* Tweezers
* Needle
* Moistened towelettes
* Antiseptic
* Thermometer
* Tongue blades (2)
* Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

Non-Prescription Drugs

* Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
* Anti-diarrhea medication
* Antacid (for stomach upset)
* Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center )
* Laxative
* Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies

* Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils*
* Emergency preparedness manual*
* Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
* Flashlight and extra batteries*
* Cash or traveler's checks, change*
* Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
* Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
* Tube tent
* Pliers
* Tape
* Compass
* Matches in a waterproof container
* Aluminum foil
* Plastic storage containers
* Signal flare
* Paper, pencil
* Needles, thread
* Medicine dropper
* Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
* Whistle
* Plastic sheeting
* Map of the area (for locating shelters)

Sanitation

* Toilet paper, towelettes*
* Soap, liquid detergent*
* Feminine supplies*
* Personal hygiene items*
* Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
* Plastic bucket with tight lid
* Disinfectant
* Household chlorine bleach

Clothing and Bedding
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

* Sturdy shoes or work boots*
* Rain gear*
* Blankets or sleeping bags*
* Hat and gloves
* Thermal underwear
* Sunglasses

Special Items

* Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons, special first aid kits and supplies

For Baby*

* Formula
* Diapers
* Bottles
* Powdered milk
* Medications

For Adults*

* Heart and high blood pressure medication
* Insulin
* Prescription drugs
* Denture needs
* Contact lenses and supplies
* Extra eye glasses

Entertainment

* Games and books

Important Family Documents

* Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
o Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
o Passports, social security cards, immunization records
o Bank account numbers
o Credit card account numbers and companies
* Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
* Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
* Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
* Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Replace your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
* Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications and first aid kits and supplies.

[iamjoy]

26. Same As A Hurricane Kit (n/t)

[LeftyMom]

50. There's a mistake on there

There's absolutely no need to keep powdered milk for babies, children under one year can't have cow's milk as it causes bleeding in the intestines and older children can be fed regular food. It's a good idea to keep some formula in the kit though even for a breastfed kid, in case mother is away or injured at the time of the emergency.

[achtung_circus]

54. Okay

I'm neither a parent nor a mother. Good catch.

[iamjoy]

25. I Am So Scared To Visit California

I have been avoiding it saying I just have no interest in going because I am embarrassed to admit to my family I am terrified of earthquakes.

My sister used to live in San Jose, and I went out there for her wedding 10 years ago. I was almost constantly thinking about earthquakes. Thankfully, she moved to DC

But, now my step-brother lives in Los Angeles, and he is getting married in April and I am already worried about earthquakes. Especially now that I know the government will leave me to die. I don't see how I can even try to prepare for something when a) I am a tourist and b) they have no clue when/where it will hit (they at least have some clues for hurricanes).

[AndyTiedye]

33. New England Winters Are More Dangerous Than Earthquakes

More people die in the snowbelt every year from weather-related
accidents (you're expected to drive in ice storms out there),
exposure, fires caused by heating equipment, and other winter-related
things than have died in any of the recent earthquakes in California.

Winter comes there every year.



Ride the Music

Andy-ex-NewEnglander-Tiedye

[AndyTiedye]

40. We're Kind of Prepared Anyway

We have our earthquake kits.
AND a generator.
AND solar panels.
AND ham radios.
And all the stuff we take to Burning Man.

[Dem2theMax]

34. I've lived here all my life, 49 years. I'm not afraid of the quakes.

I'm terrified of *.

Most of the quakes we get are so small no one ever feels them.
April is 'late mudslide' season. That's IF we get a lot of fires (that's the season we are in right now) and then a lot of rain. (Don't hold your breath on the rain.)

Heck with the government. Californians know how to deal with quakes. We'll save you if the big one comes while you're here. :)
Come on and visit. April is a beautiful time of the year in So. Cal. Less smog. ;)

[CAcyclist]

61. You Should Worry More About The Cars

Why people worry about earthquakes when every time they get into their cars they are taking more risk than the risk of dying in an earthquake in a lifetime of living in California is beyond me.

Or worry about cows - that undercooked burger you are eating could have e.coli or salmonella that could kill you or destroy your kidneys and if bacterial contamination doesn't get you, the high cholesterol and high blood pressure will do you in over time.

Prepare for an earthquake and recognize the danger but don't let the fear of an earthquake rule your life. Especially if your brother lives in LA. Bolt all heavy objects to the walls, don't put things that can fly out and hit you over or near your bed, have an emergency kit, flashlights and an escape route pre-mapped out. Know where the exits are. Just be prepared.

I was born in California and have been through lots of earthquakes and I always find myself just out of the epicenter - never even had so much as a book fall off the shelves - California is a huge state - the earthquake damage is confined to a relatively narrow strip . Flooding and fires post-earthquake are the more serious dangers.

[kineneb]

64. not much to be scared about

either one happens or it doesn't. I lived in the Bay Area during the Loma Prieta earthquake. Yes, there is the quake and aftershocks, but much damage is always caused by the fires that follow from broken gas mains. That is what really destroyed SF in 1906 and damaged the Marina in 1989.
Basics are: have water, meds, food, important paperwork, etc. ready to go. We have to be aware of that out in the country in case of fires anyway. Don't stand near old brick buildings (which are rare here). Most deaths are caused by engineering flaws- badly designed buildings or freeways, hence the stringent building codes here.

I will take earthquakes over hurricanes and tornados any day.

-CA native

[kestrel91316]

28. The San Andreas Fault is far enough away from Los Angeles that even

the BIG ONE would not shake us here in the San Fernando Valley any more than Northridge did, and probably less. The Newport-Inglewood Fault could produce the BIG ONE also, but once again I wouldn't be any worse off than in 1994 (folks over the hill are another matter entirely). And San Francisco is too far for us to be affected. So I am not too paranoid about quakes, having seen the worst this area can produce.

That said, a BIG ONE in San Francisco would be devastating for them up there, and Newport-Inglewood could be very bad for the area just over the hill. I am just going to have to hope that Bush doesn't hit another "trifecta" during his term.

[davidinalameda]

38. I'm not worried about "the big one"

if it happens, it happens

I think that California is pretty prepared for earthquakes and that anything that might happen out here, we'll deal with it

I doubt that Bush would let happen to the bay area what has happened to New Orleans

he doesn't want Pelosi, Boxer AND Feinstein pissed off at him because he's let their constituents die

[deacon2]

32. No love lost between the Left Coast and the Crypto Nazis

They'll be laughing as we disappear beneath the rubble. "Hoowee! Good riddance to all the homos in hot tubs. Now, back to the people's bidness." Time for us Californicators to stock up on the tin can cuisine.

[54anickel]

37. Will Shrub call another trifecta? n/t

[fooj]

41. Welcome to DU! Thanks for the post.

I remembered reading about this. Thanks for the confirmation.

BTW- I hope that the third isn't right. I'm sitting right next to the San Andreas.

Peace.

[Le Taz Hot]

44. That is too weird!

I'm in CA and I've had "flashes" of a major CA earthquake for the last week or so . . . and I keep dreaming about them and I never do that. Man, I hope this is just a weird coincidence.

[illuminaughty]

51. ok, now it's getting weird. check out my post from yesterday

When I referred to West Coast, that is what I'm talking about.

Fri Sep-09-05 06:32 AM
Response to Original message
2. I know what you mean by "this feels like one"
I don't have a name for what I do, and would especially hesitate to do so in an online community, but those who know me pay very close attention to my dreams and or feelings.

A year ago in May, I woke up and said, "Wall of water..I'm in New Orleans and it's a wall of water". All last summer I was worried when each hurricane looked like it was headed that way. Then the tsunami hit in Asia. I was at the Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans at the time. I thought maybe I just had interpreted the dream wrong, that it meant, that I'm watching this horrible wall of water, but I AM IN New Orleans on vacation. I really thought that was it. Until last Sunday. At that point I was in Los Angeles...I called home in Kansas City to a friend and said...this is it..this is going to hit. Even after CNN reporters proclaimed that N.O. had lucked out and dodged the bullet, my stomach told me it hadn't.

Now, besides the gut wrenching grief we all are feeling, I'm having horrific dreams. I call them "ones I should pay attention to". I have a sense of dread that goes beyond this current tragedy. I feel guilty because it's not like I can prevent something or predict exactly. But like yourself, I am worried. I'll just go ahead and say, I see something on the West Coast, this along with another horrible scenario in the South. Hope we are both wrong.

[leesa]

46. Bush would be so happy if this were to happen!

[Barkley]

49. A major quake with Arnold really would be a disaster

California's economy is much larger than NO.
California provide about 1/2 the fruits and vegetable to the US
The ports of L.A. take 40% of US trade.

Not all of this would be lost but disrupted and we don't have plans in place to deal with the economic consequences.

And Arnold would want to hold a special election to how the relief effort should be administered.

[libertypirate]

52. So.... I am waiting... does it matter if I wait in fear or just wait? /nt

[Hekate]

53. Message from Bush to the US: You're on your own, citizens!

That's the chill lesson I took from the disastrous non-response to Katrina and the Drowning of New Orleans. Days ago as the horror sank in I realized that Bushco has wrecked FEMA and they really don't give a damn. For all they care, we can be blasted back to the Stone Age by the latest earthquake, hurricane, tornado, fire, flood, or other calamity, including terrorist acts -- and it's really not their problem, is it?

What vile excuses for human beings they are.

Having fun yet?

Hekate

#Why won't the Chickenhawk cross the road?#
#Why isn't the Chickenhawk waitin' on the levee?#

[Gelliebeans]

57. I do have to say

that I love Lucy Jones. She is always there day or night after any earthquake. In fact I remember her doing a press conference in the early morning hours after the Northridge quake in 1994 holding her babies in her arms as she was giving press conferences. She must grabbed them from their beds and ran to work.

[killbotfactory]

58. We can't survive republican leadership

All they do is loot the government to enrich themselves and their friends. They're running the US like the corrupt idiot CEO's who keep getting jailed.

[seattlemetal]

60. How about Mt St Helens again?

she's been acting up lately....we've all been wondering if she'll blow again....

[Andromeda]

65. I was living in Portland when she blew the first time.

She probably will blow again but I think they will be more prepared next time---at least as prepared as you can be with a volcano.

By the way, welcome to DU. :hi: