These measures can help to limit the destruction by natural disasters. The comparatively mild effects of the Northern California earthquake in 1989 are good evidence that we do have the technology to prevent vast destruction. The recent disasters, on the other hand, prove that people will suffer if we don't use that technology. When a highway collapsed in Northern California, people were killed in their cars. The highway was not built according to today's strict standards to resist earthquakes. Individuals and governments have to be far-sighted. We should take extra time and spend extra money to build disaster safety into our lives. Although such a program can't hold back the winds or stop earthquakes, they can save people's lives and homes.