Local News in Brief : Not Ready for the Big One

An earthquake expert told Congress that emergency systems worked well in the Oct. 1 temblor that rocked the Los Angeles area but that substantial improvements are needed to cope with the larger quake that some scientists believe is inevitable.

Paul J. Flores, director of the Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Project, a joint federal-state effort, testified in Washington that an earthquake registering greater than 8 on the Richter scale would “easily saturate services,” causing extensive damage and leaving many people without help. The Oct. 1 earthquake, which measured 5.9, stretched the supply of temporary shelters, safety inspection teams and emergency communication links to their limit, he said.

The science, research and technology subcommittee of the House Science Committee received the testimony Tuesday as part of its assessment of earthquake preparedness in the region. Southern California officials have called for greater federal funding for research and emergency systems in the region.