L.A. Now Live: Discuss L.A.’s hidden earthquake risks
Join staff writers Ron Lin and Rosanna Xia at 9 a.m. Monday for a discussion about the Times’ report on the risks facing Los Angeles residents who live and work in hundreds of old concrete buildings.
According to the analysis, more than 1,000 old concrete buildings in Los Angeles and hundreds more throughout the county may be at risk of collapsing in a major earthquake. Xia and Lin worked on the report with database editor Doug Smith.
By the most conservative estimate, as many as 50 of these buildings in the city alone would be destroyed, exposing thousands to injury or death.
The buildings may look strong, but many older concrete buildings are vulnerable to the sideways movement of a major earthquake because they don’t have enough steel reinforcing bars to hold columns in place.
Los Angeles officials have known about the dangers for more than 40 years but have failed to force owners to make their properties safer. The city has even rejected calls to make a list of concrete buildings.
Questions can be submitted live during the chat or by tweeting @lanow. The reporters can also be reached by email: earthquake@latimes.com.
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