3 Years After Napa Earthquake, Rebuilding Continues

NAPA COUNTY, CA -- As rebuilding continues from the devastation caused by the 6.0-magnitude South Napa Earthquake that struck three years ago in the early-morning hours of Aug. 24, 2014, the county is also focusing on its emergency operations.

"The biggest key for us three years later is emergency preparedness," said Napa County Spokeswoman Kristi Jourdan.

With Thursday being the three-year anniversary of the disaster that left nearly 300 people injured, led to the death of one person and damaged thousands of homes, buildings and businesses, Jourdan said there's a general understanding that the recovery process is still ongoing.

"We have made a lot of progress," she said.

For instance, the earthquake displaced about 400 county employees from their regular work areas. Recently, the last of those were able to return to their offices.

And next week, the Napa County Board of Supervisors is set to award an approximately $12-million contract for repairs to the historic Napa County Courthouse damaged by the earthquake.

ALSO SEE:

• Napa Register Building Razed, A Casualty Of 2014 Earthquake
• Then and Now Napa Earthquake: One Year Ago In Photos
• MUST SEE: Drone Video Offers Aerial View of Napa Quake Damage

As for preparedness, the county last year dedicated a new 1,300-square-foot space that serves as its emergency operations center. Jourdan said she and other county emergency operations officials conduct regular drills and meet quarterly with representatives from nonprofit organizations instrumental in such disasters.

"For our community, we live it every day," Jourdan said.

On the anniversary of the largest and most devastating earthquake to hit the Bay Area since Loma Prieta in 1989, she said Napa County is encouraging its community members to sign up for emergency alerts via Nixle by texting their zip code to 888-777.

Photo by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com