Elevate Structures Located in the Flood Zone Structural Engineer for Compliance to Seismic 4 Requirements CITY OF WATSONVILLE LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN INTRODUCTION: The City of Watsonville was established in 1851. It is located on the Monterey Bay about 70 miles south of San Francisco. The City supports a rich agricultural environment which covers about 5.5 square miles with a population of approximately 35,000. The City of Watsonville is a full service City, owning the water system (extending over most of South County), sewage and storm drain system, solid waste facilities, streets maintenance, and parks and recreation facilities. The City provides building inspection; a planning and housing rehabilitation agency; police and fire services; and all the support services such as finance, purchasing, personnel and a maintenance service center. The earthquake roared through the City at 5:04 pm on October 17th. There was no doubt that the shock was devastating to the community. The downtown business district was covered with a large dust cloud that spread from the fallen bricks. People stumbled into the streets dazed with fright and disbelief. Several columns of black smoke began to show throughout the City. The challenge of a major disaster had presented itself. Many individuals who have viewed damages from the Loma Prieta earthquake have stated that Watsonville was the hardest hit urban area. The 7.1 earthquake, centered approximately 5 miles from the City, shook the City violently for over 22 seconds. Several of the aftershocks were centered beneath the City limits. Eight (8) of the aftershocks registered over 5 on the Richter scale. The City, County, State and Federal governments teamed together to combat the damages presented by the earthquake. Millions of dollars and thousands of hours of labor by relief agencies, private businesses and tireless volunteers began to counter the negative effects of the earthquake. The work continues today and will be on-going for many years to come. The cause and effect of the damages resulting from the earthquake must be studied. This report transmits the Local Hazard Mitigation Survey Team's perspective of damages and why they occurred. The report concludes with an analysis of the hazard mitigations necessary to properly offset the threats associated with a similar future earthquake. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY: Over the last five years the City of Watsonville has presented an above average concern about disaster preparedness. In 1986, the City was chosen by State Office of Emergency Services as one of seven jurisdictions to initiate the Multi-Functional Guidance Plan format in disaster planning. Most of the City department heads and their assistants have participated in the disaster training at California Specialized Training Institute in San Luis Obispo. The City has sponsored several table top exercises to challenge the readiness of our Emergency Operations Center staff. Hazard mitigation is a vital preventative measure to reduce the affect of damage threat. The City staff has developed this Hazard Mitigation Plan to identify the measures we can initiate to reduce the future negative impact resulting from an earthquake. The objectives of our plan are listed as follows: -Describe the damages that resulted from the Loma Prieta earthquake in Watsonville. -Describe the services provided at the local level to help offset and manage recovery from the damages and injuries resulting from the earthquake in Watsonville. -Identify the measures that may prevent similar damages from occurring to public facilities, water and sewage systems, streets and bridges. -Identify measures that will make public services effective in dealing with threats associated with a major earthquake. -Identify methods of promoting improved private sector preparedness for earthquakes. -Identify improved building and planning regulations that will improve the City's readiness for future earthquakes at or above the magnitude of 7.0. -Present a final document that meets the requirements of the State and Federal Hazard -Attain the grants that will mitigate the threats identified this Hazard Mitigation Plan. City Manager John Radin has appointed Fire Chief Gary Smith and Assistant City Manager Chuck Comstock to coordinate the development of this Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Planning, Building and Public Works Departments are vitally involved with providing the details necessary to compile the Hazardous Mitigation Plan. The local Hazard Mitigation team will work with State Hazard Mitigation Officer Christopher D. Adams and Assistant State Hazard Mitigation Officer Paula Schulz to complete the final draft in proper time frames. OVERVIEW OF DAMAGES: The damages from the October 17, 1989 earthquake are still growing. The City experienced eight aftershocks over the magnitude of 5. There have been over 8,000 aftershocks from the Loma Prieta earthquake. An estimated $60 million dollars loss to 1900 structures occurred. A total of 106 mobile homes were severely damaged. The City contents damage is estimated to match if not exceed the structural dollar loss. Approximately 90% of the structural damage resulted from the failure of unreinforced masonry construction, and wood frame construction not properly attached to a solid foundation. Approximately 250 red tagged and 640 yellow tagged homes were severely damaged, many of which completely jumped off their foundations. Sixteen (16) commercial buildings in the downtown area, housing over 67 businesses, were destroyed by the earthquake. Ten (10) other commercial buildings and a large Catholic Church have been severely damaged. Some of these buildings may yet be demolished rather than rehabilitated. The earthquake damages were much more extensive in the areas of town where older construction existed (pre-1940's). The area of the City most damaged is located where the soil conditions were subject to liquifaction. |