California paying for home seismic retrofits

Anabel Munoz Image
Thursday, January 26, 2017
California paying for home seismic retrofits
California paying for home seismic retrofitsThe state is offering homeowners thousands of dollars to help get their homes retrofitted to better withstand earthquakes.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The state is offering homeowners thousands of dollars to help get their homes retrofitted to better withstand earthquakes.

The Earthquake Brace + Bolt program offers homeowners up to $3,000 to have retrofitting work done in designated zones. The work typically costs an average of $4,500 in Southern California.

The program was expanded this year to include more cities.

The California Earthquake Authority says more than 1 million homes in California are vulnerable to serious earthquake damage.

"It's hard to imagine in a peaceful neighborhood like this the sort of devastation that can be wrought by even a minor earthquake," said state Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones.

The work includes adding anchor bolts to a home's foundation, adding plywood to brace cripple walls and strapping in water heaters.

"It's going to save a lot of grief in the long run," said homeowner Sue Peabody, who had $3,000 out of the $3,500 cost paid for by the state program.

That has helped give her peace of mind as well as a better earthquake insurance policy, she said.

Registration for the lottery-style program remains open through Feb. 27.

More information is available at earthquakebracebolt.com.

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