Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
5.1 earthquake caused $2.6 million in damage in Brea, Fullerton and La Habra
Listen
• 0:49
Fireline tape blocks off access to a home on Juanita Place in Fullerton that was damaged in the Friday evening 5.1 magnitude earthquake on March 28, 2014. The home was evacuated.
(
Stuart Palley/KPCC
)
The cost to repair damage in the three cities hardest hit by last Friday's 5.1 earthquake and its aftershocks won't add up enough to qualify for federal disaster assistance, authorities said Thursday.
The estimate for damages to public property in La Habra, Fullerton and Brea totaled about $824,000.
For private property, the total of reported damages was $1.75 million – about $250,000 in Brea, $1 million in Fullerton and $503,000 in La Habra.
Brea's toll of about $250,000 for public property include repairs at Fanning Elementary School. In Fullerton, several water mains burst, accounting for most of the $500,000 in public property damage. Broken water mains also cost La Habra most of its $73,500 in public property damage.
Support for LAist comes from
Related: 5.1 earthquake strikes near La Habra, Calif. (updated)
Initially, local officials looked into whether Orange County might qualify for federal help.
Brea's Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Anna Cave, said the actual costs are "nowhere close" to qualifying.
Richard Sylves, professor emeritus at the University of Delaware and an expert in disaster assistance, said Orange County would have to have sustained damages totaling at least $3.50 per capita to qualify for federal relief – meaning well over $10 million.
"Populous states like California and Texas have complained about this funding formula," Sylves said.
The formula can hurt small towns in crowded counties that have to hit a high threshold for assistance. Such cities can appeal their cases, and often win aid, he said.
In this case, local officials seem to think local government can mostly handle the necessary repairs to public property.
Support for LAist comes from
Fullerton City Manager Joe Felz said his city and others are working with Orange County and the State of California to identify aid programs that might be available for homeowners, renters, and business owners who face costly repairs.
"Our focus right now is on the loan programs that might be available, whether it's state or federal," Felz said. "No interest or low-interest loans."
County officials expect to have more information in the coming days.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist