FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – As California sees more shaking from earthquakes alerts will become available statewide starting Thursday.
Currently the large-scale earthquake notification system is for Los Angeles County, but that’s all changing.
The statewide Wireless Emergency Alert system rolls out coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta Quake that toppled buildings and the Bay Bridge.
More than 3700 people were hurt, and 63 people died — crushed in the collapse of the Interstate 880 the double-decker Nimitz Freeway in Oakland.
The Shakealert System will push warnings through a Smartphone app, the same wireless notification system issuing amber alerts.
The MyShake app will detect the start of an earthquake and calculate its location, and intensity.
Areas where shaking is likely to occur are alerted by text.
The program was designed by UC Berkeley and funded through the California Office of Emergency Services,
Officials are urging OS and Android smartphone users to download the app, but it will text California residents alerts through the text-messaging system even they have not downloaded the app.
Thursday will also be the Annual Great Shakeout Drill.
Millions of people will practice earthquake safety during the drill.
Click to hear the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
