seattle international district earthquake risks

International District:Earthquake Risk

June 2, 2008

Thank You

Carol Dunn

Emergency Services Department

Community Disaster Education

American Red Cross

Goals

• Learn About the Earthquake Risk to Our Area

• Factors that Influence Outcome:– Ground Composition – Building Construction– Decisions and Preparation

The Earth is Like a Lava Lamp

Hot Cold

Faults

Pressure Created Crumples in the CrustThat are Weakness—as pressure builds,The Crumples are the easiest places to Release

Pressure Builds and Creates Faults—Areas in the ground that crumpled and bent

Once crumpled, the creases (faults) are where the ground is most likely to move again when pressure builds up enough.

Here’s where we knowthe earth has crumpledand creased in the Seattle area. There are also faults deep under groundthat we can’t see.

The ground we walk on

• Soil Types– Rock– Rock/Water/etc

• A lot of soil in Seattle is more similar to red dean pudding than rock—and when shaken, can act more like water that stone

Seattle pre-1889

Uninformed Decisions in 1889

Saw Dust Fill

Liquefaction Maps

• The stories and histories that have grown with the International District are the stories of overcoming challenges, finding ways to support each other and creating and building lasting legacies

Hard earned success led to the demand for impressive buildings

Everyone was building bigger, Building stronger

Unfortunately: almost the worst building type for earthquake resistance

大丈夫能屈能伸

For Earthquakes: Buildings are like people—flexible is better

Best: low, wood --Bolted to Foundation

OK: Steel and reinforced concrete:

Bad for Quakes: Soft Structures

Worst for earthquakes

Worst: Un-reinforced brick (recognized by levels of brick ends)

Not very good: reinforced bricks (recognized when all bricks show their sides)

Not very good: Retrofitted masonry (recognized by the added bolts)5 out of 6 were damaged during the 2001 Nisqually Quake

Unreinforced Masonry

Options

• Retrofit– Anchor masonry to wood– Add Framing

• Still will be risks

• Rebuild– Create a new safer building

• Lose character and feeling of history

• Relocate– Currently located in one of the most dangerous

parts of the city• Lose character and history

On line Data Sources

Buildings that received funding for retrofitting in 2001

• Historic Seattle Save the Buildings Fund – Milwaukee and Alps Hotels – Hong Kong Building – Hip Sing Building – The Bing Kung Building– The Bush Hotel

Because of JoltBe Sure to Bolt

• Know what to expect—

• Do not run outside!

Be prepared for disruption

Stay Healthy

1 gallon perperson perday for a min3 days

Best:Non Perishable

No need for heatingLimited water

Stay healthy

BrrrrrrMaintain the rightBody temperature

InformationImportant Documents

Get through debris

Coping

– Be aware that unusual events cause unusual and intense emotions

– Talk about your feelings– Include Comfort Items in

your supplies

Have a back up care plan

Not just for people

The challenges of family care providers are greater than almost any othergroup in our community-We need to help make connections

The ability to communicateis crucial

Calls to another area may work when local calls don’t.Agree on an out of area contact.

Text messaging may work

Talking with her Out of area contact

9-1-1

• 9-1-1 calls from pay phones are free. – May be overwhelmed in a

disaster

• Over 100 Languages:– “Fire,

Mandarin/Cantonese/etc”– “Police,

Mandarin/Cantonese/etc”– Medical,

Mandarin/Cantonese/etc”

• Stay on the line!

211—Language Support

American Red Cross:

206-323-2345

Information

AM 710 AM 1000 TV: 7

In English

Puget Sound Area

Thank You

• For more information contact:• Carol Dunn• The American Red Cross • Community Disaster Education

Department• carold@seattleredcross.org • 206.709.4528• Language Bank: 206-323-2345