How are the states of California and Oregon prepared for a major catastrophe like "The Big One" on San Andreas Fault? If this major earthquake takes places what could be some precautions the community should take to decrease death and injury?.
In an article by CNBC, an American cable business news television channel, it reports how neglecting the community is in respect of the San Andreas Fault and therefore elaborate on how unprepared the state of California is for an earthquake magnitude 7.5. Many factors have to be taken in consideration for casualties in result of this earthquake. The need for medical attention is one of the most needed after a catastrophe hits, it is expected to find roads, railroads and highways blocked or destroyed after a natural disaster. People will be having trouble being able to get to medical facilities, "the utilities and local government agencies need to examine available routes to these and other critical facilities and identify the most probable access routes."(Steinbrugge et al, 101-102) State agencies have to make the scenario planning real and start the project to prevent more casualties. While political and other agencies overlook the problem San Andreas Fault brings nationally and go with the theory that the earthquake will occur for another 30 million years, "a probability of 14% and 26% was composed for a magnitude 7 event to occur within the next 50 years."(Steinbrugge et al, 55) This statement was written in 1987 that was 37 years ago, which leaves us with a time period of 23 years. Economically speaking people and the state are also not prepared. Glenn Pomeroy, the head of the California Earthquake Authority reported that, "90% of the homes in California have no protection for earthquakes." The state needs to pressure and help the community to take awareness of the situation and the consequences it may bring.
