REMEMBERING THE 1906 SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE

National attention is now being brought to the 100th anniversary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. The quake shook San Francisco on April 18, 1906 at 5:13 am, followed by devastating fires. The quake and fire killed more than 3,000 people and left 300,000 people homeless. The city's most basic infrastructure was destroyed, including water delivery, telegraph and telephone services, the municipal railroad and all government buildings.

San Francisco recovered from the destruction caused by the quake and fire and thrived beyond what it once was. But these disasters offer important lessons and reminders for us today. We must as individuals be prepared. We must, as a nation, do better in our disaster response.

In order to learn more from the San Francisco example, I recently joined a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee hearing in San Francisco to examine the lessons from past disasters and figure out how we can, and must, do better.

This feature includes my comments at the Commerce Committee hearing, plus lots of other information about this 100th anniversary commemoration.

Part of my website includes my “Getting Ready” guide on earthquake and disaster preparedness. It will help you prepare your home and your family, including what materials to store and what to do when a disaster strikes. The best way for you and your family to survive without harm is to be ready.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator