Remembering the Great Santa Barbara Earthquake
On June 29th, 1925 a massive 6.3 earthquake destroyed much of downtown Santa Barbara. The quake struck at 6:42 AM and claimed the lives of 13 people.
The intense shaking left both of the twin towers of Mission Santa Barbara collapsed, while 85% of the commercial buildings in the area were completely destroyed or severely damaged.
The temblor likewise resulted in a dam failure up in the foothills, which released forty-five million gallons of water. Luckily, the gas company was able to shut off the gas before any fires broke out.
The earthquake shook residents to their core, and many of the dwellers spent the remaining summer nights outdoors as aftershocks rattled the region for weeks.
Santa Barbara spent the next decade rebuilding and restoring the town to a more beautiful version of its former self. The headlines read, “Spanish Architecture to Rise from Ruins.”
The “Great Earthquake” of Santa Barbara should serve as a reminder that an earthquake can strike anywhere and at any time in California. Thanks to the active fault lines that run throughout the state, there is always a chance for an earthquake to occur without warning.
If you live in California, it is essential to take all of the precautions necessary when it comes to earthquake preparedness.
In addition to having an earthquake kit handy in your home and place of work, it is imperative to ensure that your home has been retrofitted for earthquakes.
Most older properties in California are lacking the necessary structural safeguards to withstand the intense shaking from a quake.
Retrofitting homes, apartment structures, and commercial buildings are key to keeping California resilient in the face of earthquakes – and cost far less than repairing damage from a large seismic event.
If you think your home may be in need of earthquake retrofitting, foundation repair, or foundation replacement, contact Julian Construction today and we will send one of our foundation specialists out to conduct a free, thorough inspection with a quote for repair.
We have extensive experience serving our Los Angeles community and nearby regions. In fact, Julian Construction has inspected over 30,000 structures in the area! Give us a call at (323) 733-3377 to schedule your free inspection or complete the inspection request form on our website.
