1994 EARTHQUAKE OF LOS ANGELES
Category |
: |
Earthquake. |
Account |
: |
At 4:30 am on 17 January, the Northridge
earthquake, measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale, struck
the State of California with considerable force. |
Area affected |
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The city of Los Angeles and neighbouring
areas. |
Casualties |
: |
60 people died. |
Damage |
: |
The earthquake produced the strongest
ground motions ever instrumentally recorded in an urban
setting in North America. Damage was widespread, sections
of major freeways collapsed, parking structures and office
buildings collapsed, and numerous apartment buildings
suffered irreparable damage.
Damage to wood-frame houses and apartments were extensive
in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica areas.
The high accelerations, both vertical and horizontal,
lifted structures off their foundations and shifted
walls laterally. |
Cost |
: |
Estimated cost of devastation ran into
billions of dollars. |
|
HELP
BY BAPS ORGANISATION
|
|
Centre
|
:
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BAPS centre in Los Angeles coordinated relief operations.
Other BAPS centres in America were also involved.
|
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Area helped
|
:
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Los Angeles and surrounding areas which included
Northridge, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Canoga Park
and San Fernando Valley.
|
IMMEDIATE HELP
Volunteers were
deployed to search and locate people trapped and needing
emergency services.
A second team of
volunteers used modern telecommunication systems to assess
damage and locate those who needed help immediately.
A special 24-hour
emergency telephone system was set up at BAPS LA Centre,
where victims of the quake could ask for help and assistance.
A team of structural
engineers was also sent to provide help and guidance on structural
safety.
FOOD & WATER DISTRIBUTION
BAPS volunteers immediately formed into 10 teams and set out
with packed food, fresh drinking water, diapers for babies
and medical help to the worst affected area in Northridge,
Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Canoga Park and the San Fernando
Valley.
RECONSTRUCTION HELP
After the immediate relief operation was over, the task of
safety, reconstruction and renovating homes was essential.
People with damaged homes had little or no knowledge about
structural safety. There was an urgent call for structural
and civil engineers. BAPS sent two teams of structural and
civil engineers to the worst affected areas to provide free
service of assessment and guidance. For two weeks, BAPS teams
visited over 100 affected families, surveying homes and giving
crucial advice and guidance.
COUNSELLING & SUPPORT
Many victims of earthquake experienced shock and mental instability.
BAPS doctors, specialists and volunteers provided support and
comfort to hundreds of people from all communities. Where professional
help was required and needed, BAPS volunteers organised and
made arrangements. |
