Many have long wondered when The Big One, a massive earthquake long predicted for California, will finally hit. Some are beginning to think it may be Any Day Now:
"U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones remembers attending an emergency training session in August 2001 with the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] that discussed the three most likely catastrophes to strike the United States.
"First on the list was a terrorist attack in New York. Second was a super-strength hurricane hitting New Orleans. Third was a major earthquake on the San Andreas fault.
"Now that the first two have come to pass, she and other earthquake experts are using the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as an opportunity to reassess how California would handle a major temblor."
The good news is that progress in seismic safety has been made. The bad news is that there is still a long way to go before California is prepared to ride out The Big One.
For those of you who are Californians interested in a patron saint to petition, the Patron Saints Index recommends Saints Agatha, Emidius, Francis Borgia, and Gregory Thaumaturgus (aka Gregory the Wonder Worker).
Saints, Agatha, Emidius, Francis, and Gregory, pray for us.
As noted in the Katrina disaster, do not expect help from anyone for 2-3 days after a major earthquake. Be prepared to be on your own for at least that amount of time. Put together a disaster pack that includes drinking water, nonperishable foods, first aide kit, batteries!, and bleach to disenfiect contaminated water.
It would also be appropriate to beg the intercession of Bl. Junipero Serra.
Speaking of disasters, I came across this at openscience.org:
http://www.72hours.org
Thanks for taking me out of my comfort zone, Jimmy *is a Southern California resident*
I think I’ll start bottling water right now…
Not New Madrid? Not the Yellowstone supervolcano? Not Toba, even though the activy surrounding it since the St. Stephen’s Day tidal wave has been remarkable and disturbing? Not the Avian Flu Pandemic?