[EAS] Public Warning was: Re: WEA used in NYC bombings

[Bill Ruck]

John,

You have obviously thinking about this and your thoughts are welcome.

As a 3rd generation native San Franciscan I've been through more than 
one earthquake.  My grandmother lived through 1906.   My cabin in the 
Santa Cruz Mountains, built by my grandfather in the 20's and 30's, 
is directly above the Loma Prieta fault.

But I am not really worried about an earthquake.  It happens, it's 
over, and you clean up the mess.  One of my sister's grammar and high 
school friends was on the Cypress structure.  She survived and has 
been rebuilt many times but still can barely walk today.  We did have 
to replace a lot of glasses at the cabin.

But where the Bay Area has its head buried deeply in the sand is just 
about any other possible bad event.

For example, if a fire starts in Mt. Tamalpais State Park in the fall 
it will only stop when it hits the bay.  Since the average home in 
Mill Valley / San Rafael / etc. is in the $1 to $2 MILLION range this 
would be a very expensive disaster.  But (1) the residents don't want 
to pay for hand cut fire breaks; (2) they don't want herbicides used; 
(3) most of the roads are barely wide enough for a car and not wide 
enough for evacuation and fire engines and (4) there are not enough 
fire engines in Northern California to stop that fire, even if there 
was enough water and they could get there in a timely fashion.

Are there plans for warning?

Nope.

After the Japan earthquake and tsunami did some calculations.  My 
home in the Sunset looks west at the Pacific Ocean but is high enough 
above sea level to survive a tsunami.  I will be looking out over 
wreckage, however.

Today the Sawmill Fire in Sonoma County, started this morning at 
10:50 AM, is estimated at 1500 acres and is 10% 
contained.  Evacuation in progress for residents of the Geysers.

The Soberanes Fire has been burning in the Ventana Wilderness of the 
Los Padres National Forest, Garrapata State Park, and areas south of 
the Carmel Valley along with areas surrounding Big Sur since July 
22nd.   Now at 126,693 Acres but is only 77% contained.

As Mr. Newman used to say "What, me worry?"

Bill Ruck
Curmudgeon
San Francisco