This proposal is responsive to the lessons of Taiwan and Turkey, and addresses the real threat that thousands of deaths could occur in a US earthquake. Project Impact is a program wherein FEMA provides financial assistance to about 120 US communities to develop mitigation practices that focus on reducing losses from several types of natural disasters, including earthquakes. This plan recommends 25 actions to promote the rehabilitation of life-threatening buildings. Schools, reservoirs, hospitals, and the University of California at Berkeley football stadium intersect the Hayward fault in the East Bay. Other critical structures in California are intersected by the Calaveras and San Andreas faults.
Similar situations apply in other states.
For example, the Seattle and Wasatch faults are mapped through heavily developed areas of Seattle and Salt Lake City, respectively. The recent earthquakes encourage us to revisit our risk assessment, zoning, design, and emergency plans for structures in or near active fault zones. It should be recognized that all the major water supply pipelines from external water sheds for the Los Angeles area cross the San Andreas fault, and a similar situation pertains to the water supply pipelines for San Francisco crossing either the Hayward or San Andreas faults. Lessons Learned for Research Research is needed on advanced materials and technologies to retrofit vulnerable buildings and lifelines. Cost-effective retrofit procedures must be stressed.