keep garage safe from earthquake

There have been a lot of wildfires and power outages in California this fall, but the biggest risk is the same as it always has been. That risk is the ‘Big One’, also known as perhaps one of the largest earthquakes that we have ever seen. The seismic activity in our state is some of the highest in the world. For instance – did you know? In August of 2019, there were 307 quakes in 24 hours in the San Andreas fault. 

Earlier this summer, California officials reportedly spent $16 million on new technology that can detect incoming quakes and alert trains to shut down before it happens. These new sensors have been installed throughout the state, which is a good thing. But the question remains? Are we prepared for the Big One?

Who Would Be Impacted By the Big One?

Unfortunately, no matter how we slice it – there would be some catastrophic damages in the event that we experience the Big One. Insurance companies would be flooded with calls for claims due to damages. There would also be a lot of displacement costs involved as well, as residential and commercial properties are evacuated. 

Take the Proper Precautions

As we mentioned earlier, state officials are using funds to try to minimize damage from earthquakes. Despite this, most natural disasters come with a lack of people that can help – like emergency personnel, first responders, medical professionals, and insurance adjusters.

There are 39 million people living in California, and a small percentage are covered with earthquake insurance. One of the best things you can do to protect your belongings and your home is to invest in earthquake coverage to go along with your homeowner’s insurance. Many providers of renters insurance also can add quake coverage to plans, so be sure to look into that as well. 

In addition to this, be sure to build your emergency kit. Include enough food and water to last you and your family 72 hours, as well as first aid kits, flashlights with extra batteries, spare clothing, blankets, and so on. Even the most minimal effort can make a huge difference.

What Does it Mean for Your Garage Door?

Since garage doors account for about 40 percent of the exterior of most homes, natural disasters like quakes can cause huge damage to garage doors. The amount of damage and the cost of garage door repair associated with it is highly dependant on the kind of door you have. If your door is made of metal or wood, you are less likely to experience damage than if it is made of glass. If you do have a glass door and suspect there might be a quake coming, we recommend moving vehicles and expensive items away from your garage if you can. 

Post-Quake Garage Door Repair

No one wants to deal with the aftermath of an earthquake. Should we experience the Big One, the expert technicians here at Garage Door in My Area will post-quake garage door repair as efficient and effective as possible. In order to minimize costs and damages in the case of the big one, be sure to follow some of the tips we recommend above. Additionally, it never hurts to call us and schedule regular maintenance on your garage door to make sure that is secure and functioning at its best.