Just remembered where you live. Did you make it through the quake alright?

Jim K.

-- Anonymous, March 01, 2001

Answers

Jim,

Thanks for asking.

I am now on contract at the Department of Labor and Industries in Tumwater. It is a relatively new building so it sustained only cosmetic damage (cracked drywall in the stairwells mostly).

We evacuated the building of course, and could not return till the building was inspected. That is, we could not return till today, Thursday. Today they opened up the building at 8 AM. By the time I left today, the computer network and the computers were up, but many mainframe jobs to get things back to normal had not yet run. I think things will get back to normal tomorrow.

My wife's work and my daughter's school were closed today, but will be open tomorrow. My son's school, built just 2 years ago, suffered no damage; things didn't even fall off the shelves.

Our home, built in 1991, did just find. About our only problem was books falling from the bookshelves. When our home was built the new code required the use of 2 inch diameter foundation bolts and an extra $200 just for nails. We now realize the extra expense was worth it.

The lesson I see in all of this is that the building standards do make a big difference.

Eric

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Well I'm glad you and your family made it through it in good shape. I'm sure I will have more questions in the future.

Jim K.

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001