Earthquake Response

Corpsmembers use pneumatic tool to remove bricks from damaged chimney

Crews assist in many areas of earthquake recovery, such as dismantling chimneys. Here, corpsmembers are working together to dismantle a chimney in Santa Clarita after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

The CCC has long been involved in earthquake cleanup and recovery efforts since the 1983 Coalinga earthquake. We distribute food, water, and other supplies to residents; clean up debris; dismantle hazardous chimneys and walls. The CCC also assists with shelters managed by the Red Cross, and we staff disaster assistance centers.

The CCC began recovery work the very next day following the 1994 Northridge earthquake in Southern California. Corpsmembers devoted 170,000 hours to dismantling hundreds of hazardous chimneys.

With the help of a subsequent federal grant, the CCC hired nearly 200 young people from areas directly impacted by the quake.

Earthquakes happen without warning. CCC response capabilities can mobilize quickly and work with those agencies needing critical resources to help communities impacted.