Three California quakes between 1987 and 1994 killed more than 100 people and caused billions of dollars in damage. From 1994 to 2000, the state spent several billion dollars reinforcing bridges, overpasses, and buildings. But budget problems have halted these repairs. Today, more than 1,000 schools and hospitals—not to mention thousands of other government and private structures—throughout the state do not meet earthquake standards. Many of these buildings will collapse like a house of cards if they are in the immediate area of a quake.