Protecting Your Investment in the Event of an Earthquake
Many of us, specifically those on the west coast, live near fault lines and are at risk of being impacted by an earthquake in our lifetimes. With their homes being most people’s single largest investment, it’s realistic to ask yourself — would my house survive an earthquake? To get a better sense of whether or not you and your home are at risk, I created this map which displays earthquake zones throughout the United States, 0 being the safest and 4 being the most dangerous zones:
Here in Seattle, not only are we in a red an orange zone, a recent Washington Post has me more worried; it includes a stern warning that Seattle is 100 years overdue for the next “big one.” As an added threat for coastal cities like Seattle, massive earthquakes often lead to tsunamis, such as the one that struck the Indian Ocean just two years ago (pictured below). We saw through that disaster how entire cities can be washed away in a blink of any eye.
With earthquakes, the biggest risks for homeowners are with old houses that are not attached to their foundations, such as my family’s home in Issaquah. Many homes that were built before 1980 don’t meet today’s safety codes.
What can you do to makes your home safer? Redfin mentions in a recent blog post that in order to be protected in an earthquake homes must be bolted to their foundations. The blog notes that this project can cost as much as $20,000 if you hire a contractor, and around $1,500 if you do it yourself.
If you own an older home, aren’t a do-it-yourselfer, and are wondering where to turn, the city of Seattle provides a great list of contractors that have completed the Professional Home Retrofit Training provided by the University of Washington Extension Program. However, if you are a handyman, get ready to spend lots of quality time under your house!
In addition to the major project of securing your home to your foundation, there are some basic steps you can take to prepare yourself for an earthquake. For instance, stocking up on disaster supplies such as flashlights, batteries, bottled water, canned food, and first-aid supplies is recommended. LifeEssentials by Zee has a great “Preparing for an Earthquake” guide for further details. If you are pro-active in your preparation, you may be thankful when the “big one” finally does hit.
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