The 6.7 Northridge earthquake killed nearly 60 people in Southern California and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings, damage top 25 billion dollars. Now 25 years later is California better prepare? Much more ready than we were and not nearly as ready as we need to be. There are still cities in California that haven't even gotten rid of their brick buildings.
Buildings that we absolutely know both will fall down and will kill people because they're so heavy. After the quake, 10 billion was spent retrofitting freeways but thousands of older buildings, like many in downtown Los Angeles, still desperately need seismic upgrades. Today scientists warn a 7.8 earthquake on Southern California San Andreas Fault could bring down 1,500 buildings and kill 1800 people. 25 years after the big one, many are still living on shaky ground.