The Big One Won't Wait: Structural Expert Urges Swift Action on Seismic Safety

The warnings are unmistakable: California's cities, lawmakers, and residents must join forces to speed up seismic preparations. Structural expert Kyle Tourjé urges swift steps to break the cycle of inaction and start reinforcing buildings now—before the Big One hits.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The recent Tsunami warnings issued along California's coast following a magnitude-8.8 earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula may have seemed excessive—especially when only small waves reached the shore. But when it comes to California's seismic readiness, one expert, Kyle Tourjé, Executive Vice President of Alpha Structural says, "There is no such thing as an overabundance of caution." As a second-generation contractor, he has clocked many hours "in the trenches" working with his team of builders, engineers and structural specialists. He can confirm that despite decades of warnings, many California cities remain unprepared for the 99% chance of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake striking California within the next 30 years. ⁽¹⁾ In fact, recent policy changes could set the state back decades in terms of disaster readiness.

Gutted Federal Grants Leave Retrofit Programs in Jeopardy
In May 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) canceled $30–33 million in retrofit grants intended for California's many high‑risk soft‑story apartment buildings. ⁽²⁾ These buildings, common in Los Angeles and tracked for compliance by the Los Angeles Department of Building Safety (LABDS), have historically caused deadly collapses in events like the 1994 Northridge quake. ^(2,3)

Meanwhile, San Francisco enacted an ordinance on May 9, 2025, requiring preliminary structural assessments of nearly 4,000 non‑ductile concrete or tilt‑up buildings to be completed within 18 months. ^(4,5) This means owners must hire engineers to evaluate seismic risks, which can cost thousands per building. In contrast, Los Angeles passed an ordinance targeting both soft-story and non-ductile concrete buildings, but retrofitting non-ductile concrete structures presents far greater funding challenges because of their size, complexity, and high costs.

This blend of urgency and caution has experts calling for faster progress—pushing Californians from assessment to implementation and building the partnerships needed to safeguard the city's buildings. "We can't assess our way to safety," said Tourjé. "Every year we delay retrofits, more lives and livelihoods are put at risk."

Cut Through Fear with Action
"It's easy to feel powerless in the face of natural disasters, but inaction is the worst choice," said Tourjé. "Property owners want to retrofit their buildings, but they aren't given many funding options. In a highly regulatory State like California, most building owners want to retrofit, but simply can't afford to. I urge property owners to contact their elected state, county and city officials. Ask them to support low-interest loan programs that help building owners—not saddle them with more mandates and no reasonable funding solutions. If we want to make earthquake-resilient cities, we need to see incentives for that goal."

Tourjé notes that seismic resilience requires action at every level. Local, county, and state governments can prioritize it by creating low-interest loan programs for building owners. Private partners can collaborate with local agencies to apply for multi-million-dollar grants, and some counties and municipalities already offer retrofit and mitigation funding aid. Statewide, the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), and the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program can help fund seismic retrofitting and landslide mitigation projects.

"Act now," Tourjé urged. "You can't control when the next quake hits, but you can control how ready you are for it." Here are some targeted tips:

• Homeowners: There are a range of reinforcement steps to take. Seismic retrofitting or "bracing and bolting" foundations can secure some older houses.⁽⁶⁾ Checking roof-to-wall connections and strengthening with framing anchors is an affordable retrofit, while concrete repairs, foundation replacement, and retaining walls are some more ambitious mitigations.
  
  
• Commercial Property Owners: Earthquake resilience should be a core part of your maintenance strategy. Prioritize retrofitting high-risk elements that could cause collapse or severe injury. Working with a licensed structural engineer to assess vulnerabilities is essential, especially in older buildings or those with soft-story, older tilt-up or reinforced masonry, unreinforced masonry, or non-ductile concrete conditions.

Bottom line: Earthquake resilience isn't just a safety precaution—it's an imperative. Acting now can protect lives, reduce liability, and minimize downtime after the next big quake.

"We need to start reinforcing structures today. Earthquakes don't wait for ordinances or funding cycles. There are no shortcuts to earthquake readiness," said Tourjé. "But there are smart, manageable steps we can take."

About Alpha Structural, Inc.
When he saw geological challenges trigger catastrophic building collapses, Dave Tourjé, founder of Alpha Structural, Inc., immersed himself in construction repairs and mitigation facing the iconic hillside homes and buildings throughout Los Angeles in the 1980s. He recognized a lack of skilled tradesmen and the need for repairs or upgrades to be engineered and constructed successfully. Today, Alpha Structural is Southern California's premier structural repair and engineering firm, with over 30 years of experience in foundation repair, hillside stabilization, and seismic retrofitting. Alpha Structural is trusted by homeowners, municipalities, and commercial partners alike. For more information, visit https://www.alphastructural.com/.

References:

1. United States Geological Survey. What Are Earthquake Hazards/Risks Where I Live? U.S. Geological Survey, usgs.gov/faqs/what-are-earthquake-hazardsrisks-where-i-live
2. Mandatory Retrofit Programs: Soft-Story Retrofit Program. Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, ladbs.org/services/core-services/plan-check-permit/plan-check-permit-special-assistance/mandatory-retrofit-programs/soft-story-retrofit-program.
3. Lin, Rong‑Gong II. "California FEMA Earthquake Retrofit Grants Canceled, Imperiling Critical Work, Schiff Says." Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025. Los Angeles Times.2025, latimes.com/california/story/2025-05-21/california-fema-earthquake-retrofit-grants-canceled-imperiling-critical-work-schiff-says
4. Ellis, Maliya. "San Francisco Fears Nearly 4,000 Buildings Could Be at Risk in an Earthquake. It Could Soon Know for Sure." San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Apr. 2025. San Francisco Chronicle, sfchronicle.com/sf/article/earthquake-risk-buildings-20306985.php
5. Melgar, Meglar and Mandelman, Rafael ."Existing Building Code – Concrete Building Inventory Assessment." City and County of San Francisco, File No. 250211, introduced 4 March 2025; passed 9 May 2025. sfgov.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7253047&GUID=A3EB96B4-8493-4D1B-A23F-D7619C1E8B6D&Options=ID%7cText%7c&Search=
6. "Brace and Bolt Grants." California Earthquake Authority, earthquakeauthority.com/prepare-your-house-earthquake-risk/brace-and-bolt-grants

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SOURCE Alpha Structural