| Critical Facilities: Damage to critical facilities would be similar to damage to other types of buildings. However, sometimes, just a little damage can render the facility useless. Example: a minor shift in a fire station can effectively clamp the doors shut. If the fire trucks cannot get out, the fire department’s critical duties cannot be performed.
We do not know which critical facilities are large, older, unreinforced masonry structures or which are most exposed to damage or disruption from an earthquake. Collecting such information would be useful to the mitigation effort. There is GIS-based software available from FEMA, called HAZUS, that can help identify potential problem sites.
Economic Impact: As with tornadoes, the major impact of an earthquake on the local economy is damage to businesses and infrastructure. Public expenditures for repairs to public facilities and clean up and disposal of debris can be high, especially if the structures are not insured for earthquakes.
Damage to infrastructure and utilities can be very high. Roads and bridges can suffer substantial damage. Subsurface pipes, such as water and gas lines, can break. Water supply dams can be breached. Power poles can fall. While these can all be repaired, it may take a long time depending on how widespread the damage is. The longer it takes, the greater the economic impact and likelihood that some businesses will not recover.
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