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CHAPTER 10. EARTHQUAKE <br />10-20 <br />about 29 percent of the overall number of households. These households may lack the financial <br />resources to improve their homes to prevent or mitigate earthquake damage. Poorer residents <br />are also less likely to have insurance to compensate for losses in earthquakes. <br />• Population over 65 Years Old— Approximately 4,400 residents in the planning area census <br />blocks that intersect NEHRP D and E soils are over 65 years old. This is about 13 percent of <br />all residents in these census blocks, and about 11 percent of the overall population. This <br />population group is vulnerable because they are more likely to need special medical attention, <br />which may not be available due to isolation caused by earthquakes. Elderly residents also have <br />more difficulty leaving their homes during earthquake events and could be stranded in <br />dangerous situations. <br />• Population under 16 Years Old— Approximately 6,200 residents in the planning area census <br />blocks that intersect NEHRP D and E soils are under 16 years old. This is about 18 percent of <br />all residents in these census blocks, and about 15 percent of the overall population. This <br />population group is vulnerable because they are less likely to be able to take care of themselves, <br />especially as they are not old enough to carry a driver’s license. They are dependent on their <br />primary caregivers, and require extra attention by those caregivers during earthquake events <br />that could become a distraction. <br />10.6.2 Property <br />Building Age <br />Table 10-5 identifies significant milestones in building and seismic code r equirements that directly affect <br />the structural integrity of development. The planning team used Hazus to identify the number of structures <br />within the county by date of construction and group them according to these time periods. <br />Table 10-5. Age of Structures in Kittitas County <br />Time Period <br />Number of Current <br />County Structures <br />Built in Period <br />Significance of Time Frame <br />Pre-1933 3,416 Before 1933, there were no explicit earthquake requirements in <br />building codes. <br />1933-1940 632 In 1940, the first strong motion recording was made. <br />1941-1960 1,376 In 1960, the Structural Engineers Association of California <br />published guidelines for earthquake provisions. <br />1961-1975 2,294 In 1975, significant improvements were made to lateral force <br />requirements. <br />1976-1994 4,161 In 1994, the Uniform Building Code was amended to include <br />provisions for seismic safety. <br />1994—present 6,694 Seismic code is currently enforced. <br />Total 18,573 <br /> <br />The number of structures does not reflect the number of total housing units, as many multi-family units and <br />attached housing units are reported as one structure. Approximately 36 percent of the planning area’s <br />structures were constructed after the Uniform Building Code was amended in 1994 to include seismic safety <br />provisions. Approximately 18.4 percent were built before 1933 when there were no building permits, <br />inspections, or seismic standards.