OAKLAND — On the 30th anniversary of the deadly Loma Prieta earthquake, Governor Gavin Newsom, his Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), UC Berkeley, United States Geological Survey (USGS), Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Senator Jerry Hill and others will announce the launch of the nation’s first statewide Earthquake Early Warning System.
“Nothing can replace families having a plan for earthquakes and other emergencies,” said Governor Newsom. “And we know the Big One might be around the corner. I encourage every Californian to download this app and ensure your family is earthquake ready.”
The California Earthquake Early Warning System will marry a new smartphone application with traditional alert and warning delivery methods such as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The system uses ground motion sensors from across the state to detect earthquakes before humans can feel them, and will notify Californians so that they can “Drop, cover and hold on” in advance of an earthquake.
WHEN: Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Press should be checked-in and setup no later than 10:45 a.m.
WHO: Governor Gavin Newsom; Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf; Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci; Professor Richard Allen, Director of the UC Berkeley Seismological Laboratory; USGS Regional Director for the Southwest Region Mark Sogge, Senator Jerry Hill and others.
WHERE: Former eastern approach of the Bay Bridge, Gateway Park (Old Piers), Oakland, CA. Directions can be found here.
**NOTE: This event is open to credentialed media only and will be streamed live here. Reporters interested in attending must RSVP to media@caloes.ca.gov.
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