California Construction News staff writer
San Francisco officials marked the 35th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake on Oct. 17, highlighting significant advancements in the city’s seismic resilience and emergency preparedness.
Mayor London Breed confirmed the city’s commitment to earthquake safety, noting that since the devastating 1989 quake, San Francisco has invested more than $20 billion in retrofitting city-owned buildings and infrastructure. These initiatives have improved safety for countless residents and enhanced the city’s ability to recover quickly from future seismic events.
“San Francisco is always preparing for the next big earthquake,” Breed said. “Our seismic resilience efforts complement our economic resilience, ensuring that our city is better prepared and safer for everyone.”
U.S. Rep. Mullin introduced new federal legislation, the Earthquake Resilience Act, which aims to establish national guidelines for protecting critical infrastructure against seismic risks. “California has led the way in preparedness, but we all face these challenges,” Mullin remarked, emphasizing the urgency of enhancing resilience across the country.
The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which measured 6.9 in magnitude, resulted in 63 fatalities and significant damage estimated at more than $14 billion today. With a 72 percent chance of a similar earthquake occurring in the San Francisco area by 2043, the need for continued investment in safety measures is clear.
Since Loma Prieta, the city has implemented several mandatory retrofit programs, upgrading 1,800 unreinforced masonry structures and 4,600 soft story buildings. The city has also enhanced its emergency response capabilities through regular drills and updates to its emergency operations plans.
Recent initiatives include a directive to assess vulnerable concrete buildings and a new safety requirement for tall buildings following glass failures during severe storms. The Department of Building Inspection now mandates inspections for high-rise buildings to ensure facade safety.
In addition, San Francisco’s infrastructure improvements, such as the Water System Improvement Project and the Emergency Firefighting Water System, have been crucial in enhancing the city’s ability to manage post-earthquake fires and ensure reliable water supply.
“The lessons learned from Loma Prieta guide our commitment to improving building codes, fortifying infrastructure, and enhancing emergency preparedness,” said Brian Strong, chief resilience officer. “While we have made great strides, building resilience is an ongoing process, and we must continue to work together to strengthen our city’s defenses.”
As San Francisco reflects on the past and prepares for the future, city officials reiterated that earthquake preparedness is a shared responsibility. “Every resident has a role to play in this effort,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of the Department of Emergency Management. “Being prepared at the individual and community levels can significantly impact how we all fare in the event of a disaster.”
The commemoration serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks posed by earthquakes and the city’s proactive approach to mitigating these threats for the safety of its residents.
