Lakeport >> An earthquake could have deadly consequences at the Lake County Courthouse according to a media investigation on government structures around the state. The CBS affiliate in Los Angeles reports the building in one of those considered to be structurally unfit to withstand strong seismic activity.
Citing state documents, the report lists Lake County Courthouse on North Forbes Street in Lakeport as one of 124 that is at risk of extensive damage in the case of an earthquake.
The Lake County Courthouse is rated as a Category 5 building, “which means it is likely to partially collapse, and its risk to life is substantial,” according to the CBS study.
There are several earthquake fault zones throughout Lake County, with the largest concentration between Kelseyville and Lower Lake, according to the State of California Department of Conservation, which has earthquake fault zone maps on its website. Distances from fault lines affect the courthouse’s categorization as it puts the area at a higher risk for a major earthquake.
The Geysers, in the lower end of Lake County, also produce more frequent seismic activity. In March, The Geysers experienced four small earthquakes that topped magnitude 2.0, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey.
The Lake County Courthouse, like roughly half of the 300 courthouses in the state of California, may not ready for an earthquake to strike, but the Lake County Office of Emergency Services has made sure staff is prepared.
In October, courthouse employees participated in the Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill, which helped prepare residents and officials in 20 regions in the state in case of a disaster.
During the drill, courthouse staff dropped to the ground, found shelter under desks or tables and covered their heads and neck while holding on to the shelter. They waited for a few minutes, a precaution for after shocks, then evacuated the building to gather in front of the Lake County Historic Courthouse Museum across the street, which was designated as the meeting spot.
The Lake County OES plans on another drill this year, and expects a larger turnout with additional processes to test the evacuation plan.
