What are the chances of “The Big One” happening?
Our clients often ask us, what are the chances of the earthquake we have all dubbed “The Big One” happening? How bad will a huge earthquake be? Well, does anyone out there really have any doubt that “The Big One” is gearing up to smash our fair city of Los Angeles? We have talked about this before, and want to raise the subject again, but in a slightly different context – and this time by providing even more information about what homeowners can do to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their most valuable possession – their home!
Are the number of earthquakes increasing?
In case you are wondering whether the number of earthquakes is increasing, yes, it appears that there is an increase in the number of earthquakes! The ComCat earthquake catalog does show an increasing number of earthquakes in recent years, but perhaps this is due to the fact that these days, we have more seismic instruments and they are able to record more earthquakes. This is small comfort, however, as the California Earthquake Authority data clearly shows us that on average, Southern California and the Greater Los Angeles area experiences about 10,000 earthquakes every year, and of those, two or three quakes are large enough to cause moderate damage to homes and other structures! Those who ignore the risk of earthquakes are doing so at their own peril!
How soon will “The Big One” happen?
We all know that we live in “Earthquake Country” but we tend to forget that it’s just a matter of time before we are hit with the Big One! In fact, a study published recently noted that the recent Ridgecrest earthquake brought the “Garlock” fault much closer to a rupture, which means that the odds now are that a large quake there is now 100 times more likely, and therefore, the chance of a large quake on the San Andreas Fault, which will hit Los Angeles, has essentially tripled! As you may know, the San Andreas fault comes within 35 miles of downtown Los Angeles and is the one that can unleash a “megaquake” in our lifetime! So, what can homeowners do?
Can Californians get $3,000 grants to retrofit homes for earthquake safety?
Yes, that is really the case! One of the best steps Los Angeles homeowners can take to protect their homes and families is earthquake retrofitting their home through a state-funded program called “Earthquake Brace + Bolt” (“EBB”), which provides homeowners with grants of up to $3,000 to thousands of homeowners to subsidize their cost of seismic retrofitting their homes! For many small homes, this FREE GOVERNMENT MONEY can potentially cover the full cost of retrofitting!
What is EBB retrofit?
The EBB program periodically opens up to provide free grant money for earthquake retrofitting homes in many ZIP codes in the Greater Los Angeles area. To see if your home is in one of the eligible ZIP codes that have opened up, check the EBB program website directly! If you live in one of the EBB eligible zip codes listed on their website, you can complete an easy online application directly on the EBB’s portal (and this is also a good place to sign up to be notified when the EBB registration opens). When the EBB program is open, don’t delay, as applications are reviewed on a “first come first served” basis, and the EBB Program is just waiting for eligible homeowners like you to complete an application! Once you complete the application process, you will have 90 days to pick a contractor to seismically retrofit your home!
At Weinstein Construction, we are approved by the EBB Program, and going back as far as 1994, we have been a Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) authorized and trained contractor! We can help you navigate the EBB registration process so call us today at (818) 334-6657 to get help in completing an application for this most important initiative that can put free government money in your pocket!
Most small homes can be retrofitted for about $3,000, and we will wait to get paid by the EBB, so you pay nothing, and retrofitting your house will be free for you! You don’t have to wait for the “Big One” to see if your home can withstand an earthquake, so call us today at 818-334-6657 to schedule a free inspection of your home!
