Michele Wood, chair and professor of public health, has worked on earthquake preparedness, including the design and implementation of the Natural Survey of Disaster Experiences and Preparedness, and the evaluation of the Great Shakeout earthquake drills.
Wood also has been involved in California Office of Emergency Services’ development and testing of ShakeAlert, an earthquake early warning system designed for the West Coast. In a recent interview, Wood reminded Californians that it is not if a quake happens, but when it does — and how well residents prepare to be able to respond ahead of the actual quake.
“Perhaps the most concerning thing about the July 5 Ridgecest earthquake is the fact that large earthquakes happen periodically in California, and they can be extremely destructive, especially when they happen in heavily populated areas.”