Disasters in the News

In the two months following the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 10, Sound Seismic received more inquiries about retrofitting than we ever have in a full year. 

Not all calls were the same.  Some had thought about having the work done for years, and Japan served as a not-so-gentle nudge to move it up the priority list.

Some homeowners called because their first reaction was to add earthquake insurance to their policy, and they found that, due to the age of their house, they couldn't do that unless it had been retrofitted.

Others called in virtual panic, certain that huge seismic events on the Pacific Rim are a sign of what will happen here soon.

Many callers were concerned with protecting their greatest financial assets - their homes.  Others were focused on the life safety of their families.  A few were imagining the chaos, inconvenience, and disruption if they were forced out of their homes.

All of these calls had one thing in common - one recurring theme.  These individuals had been deeply affected by the dramatic images on television and in the papers.

The reaction was similar to what we saw after Hurricane Katrina.  Of course, we aren't at risk of hurricanes in Washington - we get earthquakes. 

But a natural disaster is a natural disaster.  And it doesn't take much of a leap to start thinking, "what if the worst case happened here?"

That "what if?" question seems to trigger an instinctual need to protect our families and see that we will be able to provide for them. 

I get it.  I feel the same instinct.  And I happen to be in a position to help many people be more prepared.  Just be patient, because we're getting really busy.