Concept of Emergency Operations Evaluator Qualifications Authority & Liability Program Registration Reimbursements Activation Sequence Roles & Responsibilities Responsibilities by Facility type

SAP Process and Procedures 3-Step Evaluation Process ATC-20 Placard System Evaluation Forms Damage Estimates Inspection Procedures: Six Steps Evaluating Access to Structures Possession Retrieval How Would You Post These Buildings?

Evaluation of Buildings Reducing Shelter Demands Mobile and Manufactured Homes Historic Structures

Lifeline Systems and Facilities Lifeline Forms and Placards Geotechnical Evaluation Airports Bridges Roads and Highways Pipelines Pump Stations Reservoirs (Tanks) Wastewater Treatment Plants Water Treatment Plants

Disaster Events and Effects Earthquakes High Winds Floods Fires Explosions

Ensuring Safety General Safety Guidelines Critical Incident Stress Disorder Hazardous Materials US&R Marking System

High Winds

Wind storms in California are far more common and troublesome than either hurricanes or tornados. Tropical storm strength winds can wreak havoc, knocking trees into structures and bringing down power poles. Hurricane force winds produced by powerful Pacific storms can damage buildings. Consequently, some local building standards require that structures to withstand 80+ mph winds.

The building element that fails most commonly in windstorms is the lateral load system. This is especially true for unreinforced masonry buildings. Specific damage differs depending on the type of wind storm. Click the links below for more information on two storms associated with high winds:

Hurricanes

Tornadoes