Havoc Planned for Mock Quake Disaster : County, State Officials to Test Response Capability in 8.3 Temblor

Collapsed buildings, fires, power blackouts, destroyed roads and perhaps even mass burials will be among the calamities faced by county and state disaster officials, American Red Cross workers and local emergency workers Thursday as they respond to a massive earthquake on the southern portion of the San Andreas Fault.

Residents need not head for cover, however. The activity is just a test of the county and state’s ability to handle the crises that would follow an 8.3-magnitude temblor.

The drill, which will involve Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Kern and Ventura counties, is the first on such a large scale and a major step in the effort to maintain an adequate earthquake response program, said Dale Brown, program coordinator of Orange County’s Emergency Management Division.

He said representatives of various Orange County agencies will gather in the emergency operations center in Santa Ana and gather information from all 26 cities and participating school districts and businesses. They also will send information to the state’s Office of Emergency Services center in Los Alamitos.

The effect of such an earthquake on Orange County, Brown said, would include a loss of all normal communication lines for about 72 hours, limited access in and out of the area, food and water shortages and a lack of sanitation. “The whole idea is to heighten awareness,” he said. “People should know that they may be alone for that 72 hours. They will survive if they prepare ahead of time.”

A temblor of the 8.3 variety hasn’t been felt in Southern California since 1857, Brown said. The biggest ones since then have measured 6.3 (Long Beach in 1933) and 6.4 (Sylmar in 1971).

James Watkins, chief of earthquake preparedness for the state Office of Emergency Services, said estimates of the number of deaths from such an earthquake would depend on the time of day. If it struck at 2 a.m., when most people are asleep in fairly well-protected wood-frame homes, an estimated 2,000 deaths and 8,000 injuries would occur in Southern California. If it struck at 4 p.m., the numbers would jump to about 10,000 dead and 40,000 injured.

Damage Estimates

Property damage estimates range from $40 billion to $60 billion. “The one thing we know for sure,” said Brown, “is that all the unreinforced masonry around the Southland would come tumbling down.”

One of the major goals of the drill, said Gordon Brown, assistant director of disaster services for the American Red Cross’s local chapter, is to offer possible solutions to such problems as how to coordinate trucking of food supplies to devastated areas around the Southland.

In some cases, changes in state law may be needed, he added. “For example, under current state laws, no bank can be closed for more than three days,” he said. “Well, that’s obviously going to be impossible in a disaster situation.”

Some issues are unpleasant, but planning for them is vital, the Red Cross official said. “What if the community and government’s ability to care for the dead is overwhelmed? What if there’s a need for a mass burial?” he said. “Few people in America have had to deal with that situation.”

The Red Cross is offering classes in earthquake preparedness this week at various sites in the county. For information, call 835-5381.

During an earthquake, according to the Red Cross, people should try not to panic and should get under a desk, heavy table or under a doorway and cover their heads with their arms. If in a corridor or hallway, a person should crouch against the wall. Windows, bookcases, mirrors and outside doors should be avoided, and utilities should be switched off as soon as possible. If in a car, pull over and park away from trees, buildings or power lines. Some preventive measures include:

- Checking and securing of hazards such as heavy objects or wall fixtures that could fall.

- Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid.

- Maintaining a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, bottled water in sealed plastic containers, non-perishable food supply, tools and tennis shoes to walk over debris. Candles, matches and any open flames should not be used because of the danger of gas explosions.