Public Property Damage and Emergency Response Costs: Comparing the Loma Prieta and Whittier Narrows Earthquakes

This research project investigated the damage to public property caused by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The claims filed by state and local governments, special districts and non-profit organizations under FEMA's disaster assistance program were analyzed to better understand the pattern of damage caused by the earthquake. These claims accounted for nearly $600 million. Emergency response costs (debris removal, emergency services and safety services) accounted for more than 40 percent of total claims. Public buildings comprised another 40 percent, while all types of infrastructure systems accounted for only about 13 percent of the total. While the proportion of damages attributable to public buildings was similar to that experienced in the smaller Whittier Narrows earthquake, the proportion attributable to emergency response activities was much larger for the Loma Prieta event. This research suggests that emergency response costs are proportionately larger for more severe earthquakes, especially in the hardest hit areas.