On August 24, 2014 at 3:20 a.m., a M6.0 earthquake shook Napa and the surrounding areas in Northern California, causing moderate damage and eliciting a coordinated statewide response. This earthquake also afforded scientists, researchers and emergency managers with information that would contribute to the evolution of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ (Cal OES) Earthquake Early Warning System.
Immediate Response and Cal OES’s Role
In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, Cal OES played a pivotal role in the state’s emergency response. As the lead agency for disaster response and recovery efforts in California, Cal OES coordinated with local agencies, provided essential resources and facilitated communication between various stakeholders.
One of the initial tasks was to assess the damage and prioritize areas that needed immediate assistance. Cal OES worked closely with local government officials, first responders and community organizations to ensure that resources were allocated effectively and that affected residents received the support they needed.
Recovery and Resilience
The road to recovery from the Napa earthquake has been long and detailed. On September 11, 2014 a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Napa and Solano counties was secured. The declaration committed federal funding for impacted Californians by providing Individual Assistance which ensured resources and funding for individuals, families and small businesses. It also secured Public Assistance, which provided state, local and tribal governments federal funding for emergency work to repair facilities damaged by the earthquake. Over the past decade, the region has made remarkable strides in rebuilding, strengthening its infrastructure and establishing continued resiliency.
Earthquake Preparedness
The anniversary of the Napa earthquake serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness, resilience and the collaborative efforts of Cal OES, state and local partners during this event. The Napa Earthquake highlighted the importance of preparedness, coordination and resilience in the face of natural disasters. Cal OES, in conjunction with leaders across the state, has invested in efforts to improve policy and practice, ensuring that communities in earthquake-prone areas are better prepared for, can respond to and recover from significant seismic events.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of the nation’s first statewide Earthquake Early Warning System in 2019. The system uses ground motion sensors positioned across the state to detect seismic activity before humans can feel it. The system also connects smartphone application technology with traditional alert and warning delivery methods such as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to give Californians across the state life-saving seconds to drop, cover and hold on. It also affords public agencies the opportunity to protect residents and potentially mitigate damage by, for example, slowing down public transit systems or temporarily shutting off utilities in anticipation of a significant event.
Simultaneously, through Cal OES, the Governor formed the Earthquake Warning California Program. The program uses earthquake preparedness technology, resources and education to inform and prepare California communities statewide.
Cal OES continues to encourage everyone to be disaster-ready by preparing a stay-at-home emergency kit, or a go-bag in the event of an evacuation, creating emergency plans with loved ones and neighbors, signing up for local alerts and turning on notifications for state-issued wireless emergency alerts.