Agencies Prep for Next Big Disaster as Santa Barbara Marks Earthquake Centennial
GOLETA, Calif. — Emergency vehicles filled the parking lot at Direct Relief headquarters in Goleta on Wednesday, but it wasn’t due to a crisis.
Various emergency agencies gathered for a large-scale disaster response training event aimed at improving readiness and coordination in the face of future disasters. The training comes in the shadow of a historic milestone—the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake, which devastated the region and reshaped emergency preparedness in California.
Participants in the training included the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the Search Dog Foundation, and other emergency response organizations.
“We do practices where we sit and role-play through what that disaster could be,” said Kelly Hubbard, director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management.
The 1925 earthquake struck just before 7 a.m. on June 29, registering an estimated magnitude of 6.8. Its epicenter was located offshore in the Santa Barbara Channel, only a few miles from the city. Despite its moderate magnitude, the proximity to downtown caused widespread destruction.
More than 85% of the commercial buildings in downtown Santa Barbara were damaged or destroyed, including the courthouse, library, hotels, and churches. Historic structures like the Mission Santa Barbara sustained major damage, with its iconic twin towers collapsing. Fires broke out after the quake, but were quickly controlled thanks to the rapid shutoff of gas lines.
One of the most catastrophic failures was the collapse of the Sheffield Dam, located near present-day Alameda Park. The dam failure released an estimated 30 million gallons of water, sending a flood through a portion of the city and destroying homes, vehicles, and infrastructure in its path. Remarkably, no deaths were reported as a direct result of the dam’s collapse.
Reflecting on lessons from the past while planning for future emergencies, Chief Deputy Brad Welch of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office shared his perspective on preparedness.
“And how we as a Sheriff’s office can help protect and get our community ready in the case that it does happen and we need to get everybody out fast—but also very safely.”
In the wake of the 1925 quake, Santa Barbara underwent a significant rebuilding effort. The disaster prompted new building codes across California and led to the city's transformation into the Spanish Colonial Revival style still seen today.
Organizers of Wednesday’s training emphasized the importance of collaboration among first responders, emergency managers, and public officials. They say continued joint exercises help ensure that communities are prepared not just to respond—but to recover—when the next major disaster strikes.
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