By ERIK CHALHOUB, Managing Editor
With a 7.1 magnitude earthquake killing more than 300 people in Mexico last week, and an 8.1 magnitude quake striking the southern end of the country earlier in the month, killing nearly 100, a sense of dread is rising throughout California.
Residents are being reminded that it is not a question of if, but when the next “big one” will roll through the state.
On high alert, the U.S. Geological Survey reported a 5.7 magnitude earthquake happening beneath the Pacific Ocean just off the Northern California coast on Friday. As is normal, minor earthquakes shake up and down the state on a daily basis, with the most recent one happening near our area on Sept. 20 in San Juan Bautista, a 3.2 magnitude quake.
It’s been nearly 28 years since the 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake struck California, killing 63 people and injuring thousands of others.
While modern buildings are more suitable to withstand major earthquakes, thanks to advancements in engineering, hopefully we are better prepared to endure a large temblor than we were on Oct. 17, 1989.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a website (www.fema.gov/earthquake-safety-home) listing what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
We may not know when it’s coming, but we can be prepared.
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I want to give thanks to California’s Great America in Santa Clara for once again inviting me to the annual Halloween Haunt event, now in its 10th year.
I had the opportunity to experience eight haunted mazes and five small-scale standalone experiences, along with a unique dinner complete with some sort of marshmallow salad.
Among the new mazes this year are “Backwoods,” a werewolf-infested journey through an abandoned resort, and “Chaos House,” a dizzying mirror maze accentuated by strobe lights and fog that is nearly impossible to navigate.
But most exciting to me is the re-imagining of the park’s classic Demon roller coaster, with the addition of music, lights, fire and more special effects.
“This event is constantly being re-imagined with new additions that will provide haunting and memorable experiences for all guests who dare to enter,” said Raul Rehnborg, Great America’s vice president and general manager.
Halloween Haunt runs Friday-Sunday evenings through Oct. 29. For information, visit www.cagreatamerica.com.
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Erik Chalhoub can be reached at 761-7353 or ec*******@pa********.com.
