Photo of Northridge Earthquake of ‘94 response from Red Cross (Photo credit Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio, American Red Cross)
Photo of Northridge Earthquake of ‘94 response from Red Cross (Photo credit Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio, American Red Cross)
Photo of Northridge Earthquake of ‘94 response from Red Cross (Photo credit Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio, American Red Cross)
Photo of Northridge Earthquake of ‘94 response from Red Cross (Photo credit Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio, American Red Cross)
Photo of Northridge Earthquake of ‘94 response from Red Cross (Photo credit Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio, American Red Cross)
Photo of Northridge Earthquake of ‘94 response from Red Cross (Photo credit Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio, American Red Cross)
Photo of Northridge Earthquake of ‘94 response from Red Cross (Photo credit Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio, American Red Cross)
Photo of Northridge Earthquake of ‘94 response from Red Cross (Photo credit Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio, American Red Cross)
With the 27th anniversary of the deadly and damaging 6.7-magnitude Northridge earthquake, Red Cross officials are urging residents of the Los Angeles Region to take a moment to make sure they and their families are ready for the next “Big One.”
The earthquake that struck the San Fernando Valley on Jan. 17, 1994, left 72 people dead and 9,000 more injuries, as documented by the Associated Press.
To this day, it remains “one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history,” according to a Red Cross statement. “The Red Cross mobilized 15,000 workers, served 1.7 million meals, provided shelter for nearly 22,000 people and provided mental health counseling to more than 40,000 affected Californians.”
Craig Renetzky of Tarzana was among the army of Red Cross volunteers who sprung into action once the shaking stopped.
“The Northridge earthquake shattered so many lives; it’s a day I will never forget,” he said. “It stands out most in my memory was my relief that I had planned ahead and was properly prepared for such a disaster. It’s one of the reasons I was able to help others. Everyone must be prepared to survive the next big Southern California earthquake.”
Red Cross officials reminded residents that families should be equipped with enough food, water and other supplies to last for two weeks, in case help is delayed following a major disaster. Experts urged five principle steps for preparedness, including assembling an emergency kit, making a plan, being informed, learning CPR and downloading the Red Cross Emergency App, which can be downloaded on app stores or by texting “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999.
More information on earthquake preparedness from the Red Cross can be found online at redcross.org/local/california/
See also:
Disaster Preparedness Urged in Pasadena Ahead of Statewide Earthquake Drill
Eight Seconds of Terror: A JPL Scientist Reflects on L.A.’s Last Big Quake