The Northridge Earthquake: Pioneering Disaster Recovery
The 1994 Northridge Earthquake is remembered for the widespread destruction it caused across Southern California, but its long-term impact on disaster recovery planning is equally significant. It became a turning point for modern recovery methods, later applied to disasters like 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, and major wildfires.
As part of the Earthquake Country Alliance’s Northridge 30th Anniversary Webinar Series, Episode 5, titled “Legacies of the Northridge Earthquake in Disaster Recovery Planning and Policy,” brought together experts to discuss how the earthquake revolutionized recovery efforts.
This session emphasized the earthquake’s lasting influence on pre-disaster planning and post-earthquake rebuilding strategies that continue to shape global recovery practices today.
The PEPPER Study: Laying the Groundwork for Pre-Disaster Planning
Before the Northridge Earthquake, one of the standout initiatives was the Pre-Earthquake Planning for Post-Earthquake Rebuilding (PEPPER) project, launched in the early 1980s.
Funded by the National Science Foundation, PEPPER was designed to use earthquake scenarios to predict potential damages to buildings and infrastructure in Los Angeles. The data collected helped create one of the first pre-disaster recovery plans in the U.S.
Thanks to PEPPER, Los Angeles mobilized quickly after the Northridge Earthquake. The plan provided guidance for addressing physical damage to buildings and set clear pre- and post-event actions for various city departments.
It also laid the foundation for using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze building losses, a practice now widely used in disaster-prone areas.
The Role of Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning in Northridge
When the Northridge Earthquake struck on January 17, 1994, Los Angeles had a draft plan ready. Originally developed in response to the 1992 riots, the plan was scheduled for adoption just months before the earthquake. It detailed recovery strategies for residential, commercial, and public infrastructure and organizational structures for managing the recovery.
After the earthquake, the plan was revised and officially adopted on the disaster’s first anniversary. The scale of damage didn’t require the full implementation of its most extreme measures. However, the plan enabled city agencies to carry out pre-planned actions, providing a more organized and efficient recovery effort than would have been possible without pre-disaster planning.
Redevelopment: A Blueprint for Hollywood’s Recovery
Hollywood was one of the hardest-hit areas during the Northridge Earthquake, though the district had already been in decline before the disaster. Fortunately, the Hollywood Redevelopment Plan, created in 1986, provided a crucial framework for revitalization after the earthquake.
Using tax increment financing and community development block grants, Los Angeles was able to rehabilitate over 40 major buildings and fund both commercial and residential projects. This pre-existing plan helped Hollywood’s resurgence, leading to high-profile projects like the Hollywood and Highland Center, home of the Dolby Theater and the Academy Awards broadcast.
The coordinated efforts of city departments and private investors demonstrated the power of redevelopment plans in post-disaster recovery, especially when combined with community involvement and financial resources.
HUD Block Grants: Transforming Housing Recovery
One of the most impactful recovery tools after the Northridge Earthquake was the use of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Congress allocated over $600 million for housing and community recovery, with $308 million going to Los Angeles to repair damaged residential properties.
The city’s housing department used these funds to establish the Multifamily Rental Property Program, offering loans to repair earthquake-damaged housing. By 1996, two-thirds of the severely damaged “ghost town” housing units—abandoned and heavily damaged apartment buildings—had been repaired, stabilizing neighborhoods and restoring local vitality.
This innovative approach to housing recovery not only improved the condition of the buildings but also rejuvenated the surrounding areas. The success of HUD block grants during Northridge has made them a central element of disaster recovery efforts nationwide.
About the Presenters
- Laurie Johnson is the principal of Laurie Johnson Consulting | Research and has over 30 years of experience in disaster recovery and catastrophe risk management. She co-authored After Great Disasters and has held leadership roles with the California Earthquake Authority and California Wildfire Fund.
- Robert Olshansky is Professor Emeritus of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois and Visiting Professor at UC Berkeley. A leading expert in post-disaster recovery planning, he co-authored After Great Disasters with Laurie Johnson and was the 2015 EERI Distinguished Lecturer.
Preparing for the Next Big One: How Saunders Seismic Can Help Your Business
Looking ahead, the lessons from Northridge continue to shape how cities prepare for and respond to disasters. Comprehensive pre-disaster plans, leveraging financial resources like HUD grants, and involving communities will help build resilience and ensure quicker recovery when the next disaster occurs.
At Saunders Seismic, we specialize in helping commercial and industrial buildings prepare for and recover from seismic events. From thorough project budgeting to seismic retrofits, our team is committed to ensuring your business remains resilient and safe.
Don’t wait for the next earthquake—contact Saunders Seismic today to discuss how we can help safeguard your property with tailored seismic solutions.