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| California Today: Mexico Has a Quake Warning System. Where is California’s? | California Today: Mexico Has a Quake Warning System. Where is California’s? |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| (Want to get California Today by email? Here’s the sign-up.) | (Want to get California Today by email? Here’s the sign-up.) |
| Two major earthquakes in Mexico this month have served as a reminder to Californians. | Two major earthquakes in Mexico this month have served as a reminder to Californians. |
| It’s just a matter of time. | It’s just a matter of time. |
| Seismologists say California is due for a major earthquake within the next few decades. One nightmare scenario predicts roughly 1,800 people killed. | Seismologists say California is due for a major earthquake within the next few decades. One nightmare scenario predicts roughly 1,800 people killed. |
| Some steps have been taken to prepare. After the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes, billions of dollars were spent to fortify structures across the state. | Some steps have been taken to prepare. After the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes, billions of dollars were spent to fortify structures across the state. |
| But more than a decade after development began on an earthquake early warning system, the project is still years away from full implementation. | But more than a decade after development began on an earthquake early warning system, the project is still years away from full implementation. |
| In Mexico, which has such a system, sirens went off in the capital city on Tuesday about 15 seconds before the major shaking began, providing a precious window to flee to safer ground. | In Mexico, which has such a system, sirens went off in the capital city on Tuesday about 15 seconds before the major shaking began, providing a precious window to flee to safer ground. |
| Here’s a look at the plan in California: | Here’s a look at the plan in California: |
| How would the warning system work? | How would the warning system work? |
| A network of sensors placed near fault lines detect shaking and alert nearby communities through television, radio, phone and other channels. | A network of sensors placed near fault lines detect shaking and alert nearby communities through television, radio, phone and other channels. |
| Modern telecommunications travel faster than seismic waves. So in essence, the warnings are able to outrun the shaking. | Modern telecommunications travel faster than seismic waves. So in essence, the warnings are able to outrun the shaking. |
| People could get anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute of warning, depending on the intensity of the quake and the distance from its epicenter. | People could get anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute of warning, depending on the intensity of the quake and the distance from its epicenter. |
| That poses a crucial caveat: If a big quake kicks off right near a city, the alerts might not do much good. | That poses a crucial caveat: If a big quake kicks off right near a city, the alerts might not do much good. |
| Where does the project stand? | Where does the project stand? |
| Roughly 500 earthquake sensors are already in the ground. Another 500 or so need to be placed. | Roughly 500 earthquake sensors are already in the ground. Another 500 or so need to be placed. |
| Jennifer Strauss, from the U.C. Berkeley Seismology Lab, said the warning system — known as ShakeAlert — is being introduced in phases. Some transit and emergency agencies are already linked up. | Jennifer Strauss, from the U.C. Berkeley Seismology Lab, said the warning system — known as ShakeAlert — is being introduced in phases. Some transit and emergency agencies are already linked up. |
| Next year, the plan calls for limited regional rollouts. | Next year, the plan calls for limited regional rollouts. |
| One critical objective, getting phones into the network, could take another several years. | One critical objective, getting phones into the network, could take another several years. |
| What’s taking so long? | What’s taking so long? |
| Mexico created its warning system after more than 5,000 people died in the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. The devastating Kobe earthquake of 1995 prompted Japan to add one as well. | Mexico created its warning system after more than 5,000 people died in the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. The devastating Kobe earthquake of 1995 prompted Japan to add one as well. |
| “If we had a major damaging earthquake in California, we too would magically find, not only the capital investment, but the will,” said Ms. Strauss. “But we haven’t had one of those.” | “If we had a major damaging earthquake in California, we too would magically find, not only the capital investment, but the will,” said Ms. Strauss. “But we haven’t had one of those.” |
| Even now, California’s program isn’t a sure thing. President Trump’s budget called for ending its federal funding. Congressional members of both parties have pushed back. | Even now, California’s program isn’t a sure thing. President Trump’s budget called for ending its federal funding. Congressional members of both parties have pushed back. |
| Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California’s office of emergency services, said getting the system in place was a major priority for the state. | Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California’s office of emergency services, said getting the system in place was a major priority for the state. |
| “It’s a life-saving thing,” he said on Wednesday. “If you just look at the images from Mexico City, being able to get under cover, cover and hold, get to a safe zone. That’s really phenomenal.” | |
| (Please note: We regularly highlight articles on sites that have limited access for nonsubscribers.) | (Please note: We regularly highlight articles on sites that have limited access for nonsubscribers.) |
| • In a city where they hold no formal reins of power, Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Nancy Pelosi are helping to set the agenda on Capitol Hill. [The New York Times] | • In a city where they hold no formal reins of power, Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Nancy Pelosi are helping to set the agenda on Capitol Hill. [The New York Times] |
| • “No one gets to ignore the laws. Not even the president.” California sued the Trump administration to stop construction of a proposed border wall. [The Associated Press] | • “No one gets to ignore the laws. Not even the president.” California sued the Trump administration to stop construction of a proposed border wall. [The Associated Press] |
| • California and 13 other states have vowed to uphold the Paris climate pact. A new analysis suggests their efforts are having an impact. [The New York Times] | • California and 13 other states have vowed to uphold the Paris climate pact. A new analysis suggests their efforts are having an impact. [The New York Times] |
| • San Francisco and Oakland sued five oil companies over climate change, seeking billions of dollars in compensation. [Reuters] | • San Francisco and Oakland sued five oil companies over climate change, seeking billions of dollars in compensation. [Reuters] |
| • After years of largely avoiding regulation, businesses like Facebook and Google are coming under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about their expanding power. [The New York Times] | • After years of largely avoiding regulation, businesses like Facebook and Google are coming under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about their expanding power. [The New York Times] |
| • Some California counties set bail at $250 for people arrested on minor charges like panhandling and public intoxication. The bail in Mariposa County? $10,000. [The Guardian] | • Some California counties set bail at $250 for people arrested on minor charges like panhandling and public intoxication. The bail in Mariposa County? $10,000. [The Guardian] |
| • A Sacramento area school board voted to allow books about transgender people to be read in kindergarten classes after an emotional debate. [Sacramento Bee] | • A Sacramento area school board voted to allow books about transgender people to be read in kindergarten classes after an emotional debate. [Sacramento Bee] |
| • Pro surfing may never be the same. The world’s top surfers competed 100 miles from the beach — on manufactured waves in the San Joaquin Valley. [The New York Times] | • Pro surfing may never be the same. The world’s top surfers competed 100 miles from the beach — on manufactured waves in the San Joaquin Valley. [The New York Times] |
| • “That was childish. That was idiotic.” The Warriors star Kevin Durant said he regretted spouting off on Twitter about his old team. [The New York Times] | • “That was childish. That was idiotic.” The Warriors star Kevin Durant said he regretted spouting off on Twitter about his old team. [The New York Times] |
| • The California condor is making a comeback after once being pushed to the brink of extinction. [The Associated Press] | • The California condor is making a comeback after once being pushed to the brink of extinction. [The Associated Press] |
| • Thanks to a new breed of high-rise hotels in Los Angeles — complete with public pools and gaggles of fashionable locals — transitory spaces have become permanent hot spots. [The New York Times] | • Thanks to a new breed of high-rise hotels in Los Angeles — complete with public pools and gaggles of fashionable locals — transitory spaces have become permanent hot spots. [The New York Times] |
| • Is “Mother!” the most confusing movie of 2017 or merely the most provocative? Darren Aronofsky, Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem discuss. [The New York Times] | • Is “Mother!” the most confusing movie of 2017 or merely the most provocative? Darren Aronofsky, Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem discuss. [The New York Times] |
| Summer’s just about over. | Summer’s just about over. |
| As if to underscore the transition, the Sierra Nevada is now expected to get its first measurable snowfall of the season. | As if to underscore the transition, the Sierra Nevada is now expected to get its first measurable snowfall of the season. |
| A cold front that moved into Northern California on Wednesday was forecast to drop at least a few inches of snow at elevations higher than 8,000 feet by the end of Thursday. | A cold front that moved into Northern California on Wednesday was forecast to drop at least a few inches of snow at elevations higher than 8,000 feet by the end of Thursday. |
| “It’s just the beginning of fall. It’s not even winter, so it’s pretty interesting,” said Evan LaGuardia, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Reno office. | “It’s just the beginning of fall. It’s not even winter, so it’s pretty interesting,” said Evan LaGuardia, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Reno office. |
| After last winter’s epic snowfall, the ski and snowboard season is only getting a short break this year. | After last winter’s epic snowfall, the ski and snowboard season is only getting a short break this year. |
| Mammoth Mountain, in the Eastern Sierra, plans to open its slopes on Nov. 9, a mere three months since ending its last season in early August. | Mammoth Mountain, in the Eastern Sierra, plans to open its slopes on Nov. 9, a mere three months since ending its last season in early August. |
| Mt. Rose Ski Resort, which has Tahoe’s highest base elevation, is angling to be the first California-Nevada ski resort to reopen this year. | Mt. Rose Ski Resort, which has Tahoe’s highest base elevation, is angling to be the first California-Nevada ski resort to reopen this year. |
| It’s target date: Oct. 27. | It’s target date: Oct. 27. |
| California Today goes live at 6 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. | California Today goes live at 6 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. |
| The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a third-generation Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Los Osos. | The California Today columnist, Mike McPhate, is a third-generation Californian — born outside Sacramento and raised in San Juan Capistrano. He lives in Los Osos. |
| California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley. | California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley. |