Advisory - Officials mark 150th anniversary of the 1898 quake and announce new FEMA funds for earthquake retrofits
Now more Californians can receive up to $3,000 toward a seismic retrofit as Earthquake Brace + Bolt program expands to more cities and ZIP Codes
WHO: Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) Homeowner – recently completed retrofit
California State Senator Nancy Skinner (D-East Bay)
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Earthquake Science Center, Deputy Director Keith Knudsen
Cal OES Deputy Director of Planning, Preparedness and Prevention Christina Curry
California Earthquake Authority CEO Glenn Pomeroy
EBB Executive Director Janiele Maffei
WHAT: Marking the upcoming 150th Anniversary of the 1868 Hayward Quake, one of the most
destructive in state history, USGS will share critical research about the Hayward Fault and
earthquake hazards in the East Bay.
With new FEMA funding, EBB will offer $3,000 for code-compliant retrofit grants to even
more California homeowners in high-risk areas to protect their families and reduce
earthquake damage. EBB is expanding to include 76 additional ZIP Codes (for a total of
255). Online registration will be open October 9 through November 13.
WHERE: EBB Retrofit Home at 5450 Brookdale Ave, Oakland 94619
WHEN: Tuesday, October 9th at 10 a.m.
WHY: The Hayward Fault has been judged the most likely to produce a large earthquake in the Bay Area, with a 1 in 3 chance of a large earthquake over the next 30 years. Recent studies document the severe impact the Bay Area will experience from the next Hayward Fault earthquake.
More than 1 million houses statewide have a crawl space that makes them vulnerable to collapse or the potential to slide off their foundation during a strong earthquake. A seismic retrofit strengthens the house by bolting it to its foundation and bracing any existing walls in the crawl space with plywood. To learn more visit www.EarthquakeBraceBolt.com.
VISUALS:
- EBB retrofit home tour
- Before & after retrofit photos
- USGS fact sheets and maps
- Materials and tools used in retrofits
- Model house and demonstration of cripple wall collapse
- EBB video: https://youtu.be/iSDwQXztTt8
- A Spanish speaker will be available for media interviews.
LIVESTREAM: CDI Live
CONTACT: Koula Gianulias, 310-795-9440, kgianulias@rs-e.com
Leslie Gordon, 650-793-1534, lgordon@usgs.gov
