Significance of schools and natural disaster preparedness

In Baja California Sur, a school is not limited to the education of a student population, but it also often functions as a de facto community center. It serves as a home for social gatherings, sports and cultural events, as well as a shelter in case of natural disasters.  Authorities from the state system for civilian protection and SEPE assigned 64 school buildings to accommodate geographically and socially vulnerable people in case of hurricanes, a frequent phenomenon in the state during the second half of the year.  In each school there is a sign indicating the number of people it can accommodate, as well as the corresponding surrounding neighborhoods.[1]

This is particularly important when recognizing that many educational facilities are not up to standards for earthquake standards.  Recent tremors of 6.7 magnitude near Santa Rosalía are reminders that Baja California Sur is an earthquake-prone zone.