http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-quake-retrofit-20180104-htmlstory.html

This is a response to Dagny's question in "Prepping in the News" thread about Left Coast EQ preps and I think it is worth a thread all to itself.

The above article addresses the issue of retrofitting inadequate concrete buildings that are vulnerable to damage and loss of life in the next significant EQ. Reading the piece this morning, I was amazed that LA, of all places, with a well informed and relatively affluent population, had built anything recently that was not up to withstanding significant shaking. It certainly isn't news that SoCal is prone to devastating events.

For me, the good old camping gear will probably see extensive use in recovering from the next EQ. I don't think one would be able to flee, what with damage to roads and freeways, the electrical grid, down power lines, and all that. Sheltering in place seems like a most likely necessity. Pitch the tent in the backyard, plump up the bags, and scour the remains of the old homestead for edibles and salvageable items. Then start helping the neighbors, etc. etc.

The article gives a 60% chance of a 6.7 EQ in the next 30 years....

as I have said many times - I think that chance of a 6-7 magnitude earthquake is much higher. but certainly, a great deal of caution is needed in the SoCal area now. I just made a trip to LA to make sure that my daughter is prepared ... that she has the very basic stuff stored in her pantry. So if she needs to stay inside her home for a days, it is completely do-able.

People always behave frantically after big quakes - they go on rampages and buy everything. The shelves of the supermarkets become bare qucikly. It's better not be out on the street at all.

Pete