Earthquake alert system could be operating in California by 2018

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Gov. Jerry Brown has called on California lawmakers to provide funds to get an earthquake early warning system up and running.

Prototype warning systems have already been developed and tested by universities like California Institute of Technology and University of California, Berkeley, but due to a lack of funding, the systems have been delayed.

In a major reversal, Brown, who has supported the system but refused to use state money, called on lawmakers for $10 million in his most recent budget proposal.

"We've been hopeful because there are a number of state legislatures who are now actively advocating for this in Sacramento, but this was the first indication that we got the governor was on board and it was a strong indication," Rep. Adam Schiff said.

Brown added the $10 million to his revised budget proposal with $6 million of that to be used for seismic stations and sensors.

$2 million would go to educate people on the system and the remaining money would be used to pay for staff.

Professor Egill Hauksson, a seismologists at Caltech, said countries like Japan and Mexico already use early warning systems.

"In Japan they have been operating this system for I think about eight years and so they have quite a bit of experience in terms of issuing alerts and evaluating different type of earthquakes," Hauksson said.

The legislature has until June 15 to pass the budget. If the budget is approved, a limited system could be ready as early as 2018.

For resources to help you prepare for an earthquake, go to abc7.com/preparesocal.