Community Response to the January 17, 1994 Northridge Earthquake (M967V1)

This study has multiple objectives. First. we want to find out about Southern California residents' experiences after the earthquake on January 17. 1994: where they were, how they reacted, where they obtained information, whether their property was damaged or they experienced injury, what agencies they were in contact with. etc. Second, this study allows us to compare Southern California residents' earthquake-related knowledge. experience, and behaviors in 1994 with those of Bay Area residents following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and Los Angeles County residents following the Whittier Narrows earthquake of October 1. 1987. Of interest is the extent to which Bay Area and Southern California residents differ in their level of preparedness and knowledge of agencies involved in post-earthquake assistance and the change in level of preparedness, etc. in Southern California between 1987 and 1994. Third. this questionnaire includes both the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). a well-tested measure of psychological functioning designed for use in community studies and two measures of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Questions about perceived emotional distress from the earthquake were also included in this questionnaire. Finally, this questionnaire provides information about the impact of the damage to the transportation system as a result of the earthquake.