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The famous 1906 earthquake that devastated San Francisco and the Bay Area struck 114 years ago this Saturday.
Preparing for the next natural disaster might be the furthest thing from your mind right now, considering the uncertain times we’re living in. Experts, however, contend the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is actually helping us get ready for the next major earthquake event.
That’s because some of the things we’re doing now are exactly what we’d be doing if another earthquake hit.
"The stay-at-home orders are not just because if you’re home and it’s safe enough to stay, that’s where we want people after an earthquake," San Francisco Fire Department Lieutenant Erica Arteseros said. “The second step is congregate shelters or mass shelters of people whose homes are too destroyed to stay home.”
The lieutenant told KCBS Radio having a plan and water will be key if and when the next natural disaster hits.
The U.S. Geological Survey calls the 1906 earthquake "one of the most significant earthquakes of all time." Over 3,000 people are estimated to have been killed directly or indirectly by the earthquake, which caused over $400 million in property damage at the time and destroyed some 28,000 buildings.
Listen to the full interview below.