Great ShakeOut Day: Earthquake Readiness for Los Angeles County Homeowners

Today, October 15, 2026, millions of people will practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:15 a.m. during the Great California ShakeOut, the annual earthquake drill that began in California in 2008. It's a good reminder that earthquake readiness is part of owning a home in Los Angeles County. We live in earthquake country, and while no one can predict when the next big one will come, homeowners can take real steps to protect their families and their property. Here's what we recommend.

Why does earthquake readiness matter in Los Angeles County?

Southern California sits on a network of active faults, and Los Angeles County is no exception. Longtime residents remember the Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 and the Northridge earthquake in 1994, both of which damaged homes across the region. The good news is that preparation works. The most common damage in a moderate earthquake — falling objects, toppled water heaters, gas leaks, and homes shifting on their foundations — is often preventable with relatively simple measures.

What should you do inside your home?

Start with the basics. Secure tall furniture and bookcases to wall studs, use museum putty or latches for breakables, and hang heavy art and mirrors away from beds and couches. Make sure your water heater is properly strapped, which California requires at the time of sale. Know how to shut off your gas and water, and consider an automatic seismic gas shutoff valve. Keep an emergency kit with water, food, medications, flashlights, and a battery or hand-crank radio, and have a family plan for where to meet and how to communicate if phone lines are down.

What is a seismic retrofit, and does your home need one?

Many older homes, particularly those built before 1980 with raised foundations and crawl spaces, weren't built to today's seismic standards. A common retrofit involves bolting the house to its foundation and bracing the short walls in the crawl space, called cripple walls, so the home is less likely to slide off its foundation during strong shaking. Homes with rooms over garages or on hillsides may need different engineering solutions.

California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt program has offered grants to help qualifying homeowners pay for this type of retrofit in eligible ZIP codes. Availability and eligibility change from year to year, so check the program's website to see whether your area qualifies and when registration opens. A licensed contractor or structural engineer can evaluate your specific home.

Should you buy earthquake insurance?

Standard homeowners policies don't cover earthquake damage, so it must be purchased separately — often through the California Earthquake Authority or a private carrier. Policies typically carry high deductibles, often a percentage of the dwelling coverage, so it's important to understand what you'd pay out of pocket before coverage begins. Some carriers offer discounts for retrofitted homes. Whether earthquake insurance makes sense depends on your home's construction, your equity, and your ability to cover a large loss, so it's worth a thoughtful conversation with an insurance broker.

What do home inspections reveal about earthquake risk?

When we represent buyers, we pay close attention to what the inspection report says about foundations, crawl spaces, chimneys, and water heater strapping. Unreinforced brick chimneys, missing foundation bolts, cracked foundations, and unbraced cripple walls are all items that can lead to further evaluation by a structural engineer. Sellers are also required to provide the state's Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety for many older homes and to disclose known seismic weaknesses.

For sellers, completing a retrofit before listing — and keeping the paperwork — can reassure buyers and remove a negotiating point from the inspection period.

Today's drill is a good time to practice with your household. At 10:15 a.m., drop to your hands and knees, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops. Families, schools, and businesses can register to participate at ShakeOut.org, which also offers free preparedness resources. After a real earthquake, check for injuries, watch for aftershocks, and inspect for gas leaks — if you smell gas, leave the home and shut off the gas only if it's safe to do so. Avoid using candles, and use flashlights instead.

Earthquake readiness is one of those topics that's easy to put off until it isn't. If you're buying, selling, or simply want to know what to look for in your own home, we're happy to share what we've learned and connect you with trusted inspectors and contractors. Reach out anytime.

Ready to take the next step in your Glendora real estate journey?

Contact Marcus Ibrahim at Team Ibrahim Real Estate:

Phone: (626) 605-1840

Email: marcus@teamibrahim.com

Website: www.teamibrahim.com