Earthquake Preparedness in California

http://www.getreadygear.com

Earthquake Preparedness in

California

By Jim Serre


Earthquake Preparedness in California

Copyright 2015 GetReadyGear, Inc.

Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning at any time of the year. While a large number of

regions in the country face varying degrees of risk, California experiences the most frequent and

damaging earthquakes within the 48 contiguous states. And Californians can attest to the fact

that one thing is true about earthquakes: If theyve occurred in the past, they'll do so again.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earliest reported California earthquake was felt in

1769 by an exploring expedition led by Gaspar de Portola. At the time of the quake, the group

was camping about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The state continues experiencing about

10,000 earthquakes per year, although less than 1,000 of those surpass 3.0 intensity.

While earthquakes vary in magnitude the most destructive quakes typically register magnitudes

between about 5.5 and 8.9 smaller earthquakes can also be frightening, disruptive and possibly

destructive. The shaking ground can cause bridges and buildings to collapse, disrupt critical

utility services and sometimes trigger flash floods, fires and landslides. In heavily populated

areas, even a small earthquake can cause serious property damage, injuries and deaths.

Earthquake facts

Earthquakes in urban areas are often followed by destructive fires because gas lines break,

electrical shorts ignite fires, damaged water tanks and broken pipes limit water for firefighting

and clogged roads and collapsed bridges prevent firefighter access. These factors can lead to

fires spreading, causing extensive secondary damage, even burning entire neighborhoods.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/facts.php


Damaged road surfaces can hinder rescue and recovery efforts and cause accidents.

Water and sewer pipeline breaks result in water loss and can cause sinkholes that may

undermine already weakened roads and buildings.

The shaking caused by earthquakes can cause dams to fail, potentially causing

catastrophic downstream flooding and reduced water supplies. In addition, many dams

provide hydroelectric power, which could be critically needed following a quake.

Ground movement alone is seldom a direct cause of injury or death, but flying glass,

collapsing structure walls and other falling objects often cause serious or fatal injuries.

Even attempting to walk as the ground shakes can result in injuries.

Aftershocks which follow an earthquake are usually less intense, although they can cause

further damage to destabilized buildings. These aftershocks may occur soon after the

initial earthquake or months later.

The ticket to surviving an earthquake and lowering the risk of injuries is in planning, preparing

and practicing what you and your family will do in the event of an earthquake. No matter where

in California you live, bear these important and possibly life-saving facts in mind:

Mobile homes and structures not attached to solid foundations are at particular risk

during an earthquake.

A home built on former landfills or other unstable ground is at increased risk of serious

damage during an earthquake.

There are several steps to take in order to increase your awareness of earthquakes. Here are a few

tips on how to protect yourself, your family and your neighbors should one occur.

Is your neighborhood at risk?


Learn about earthquake risks in your area by contacting local or national emergency

management agencies. Here is a partial, yet useful list of agencies that will have access to

historical and updated information on earthquake activity in your area.

Your local American Red Cross chapter

California Earthquake Authority

California Geological Survey

Governors Office of Emergency Services

San Francisco Department of Emergency Management

Southern California Earthquake Center

University of California Berkeley

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Geological Survey

Speak to your home insurance agent about purchasing earthquake insurance after youve

assessed the risk factors in your area different areas have different requirements for earthquake

protection.

Consider having your home inspected and evaluated by a professional structural design engineer

and ask for tips on repairing and strengthening porches, decks, carports, garage doors and sliding

glass door frames. Ask about additional ways you can reduce potential damage.

Get directions from representatives or technicians from your gas, electric and water companies

on how to shut off utilities.

Protecting Your Home and Property

Once you become informed regarding the risks of earthquakes in your area, its time to take

some steps to protect your family, home and personal property in case an earthquake strikes.

Here are a few tips on securing your home. Some of them take some effort, but all make good

sense.

Bolt freestanding bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs to

prevent them from falling over.

Install strong latches or bolts on all the cabinets in your home to prevent the contents

from falling out during an earthquake.

Move large or heavy objects, food jars and bottles and fragile items (china and glass) to

lower cabinet shelves so there will be less damage and chance of injury if theyre

knocked off the shelving.

Securely brace overhead light fixtures they often fall during earthquakes, causing

damage and injury.

Immobilize your large gas-fueled appliances by bolting them to the floors broken gas

lines are fire hazards. The water heater can be strapped or secured to wall studs to prevent

it being tipped over (its also a source of emergency water).

http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/earthquakehttp://www.earthquakeauthority.com/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/geologic_hazards/earthquakes/pages/index.aspxhttp://www.calema.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspxhttp://sfdem.org/http://www.scec.org/http://www.berkeley.edu/search?q=Earthquakeshttp://www.fema.gov/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/facts.php


Store hazardous and/or flammable chemicals, pesticides, paints, gasoline, oil and other

fuel and flammable cleaning fluids in secured cabinets away from the main living areas

of your home.

Earthquake safety at home

Despite popular belief, interior doorways are no stronger than any other part of a structure so

dont rely on them for protection Find safe places in every room in your home where you or your

family members will be away from windows, unsecured bookcases or tall furniture that could

fall. For example, a sturdy desk or table against an interior wall would provide some shelter. The

shorter the distance to shelter, the less likely you are to be injured.

Have every member of your family practice drop, hold on and cover in every rooms designated

safe place.

Drop under a sturdy desk or table, hold on to a leg and cover your eyes. The more you practice,

the better chance you have of turning these actions into an automatic response during an

earthquake. Everyone should know what to do in case not all family members are together.

Hesitation can lead to injury.

Get emergency training through your local Red Cross chapter on basic first aid and always attend

ongoing training classes in order to keep your training current. Training will help you to keep

calm and know what to do when an earthquake occurs.

Assemble or purchase (Red Cross Store, local drug store) a well-stocked first aid kit and make

sure every member of your family knows exactly where its located. Include personal items such

as medications and emergency phone numbers or other important health-related items your

doctor may suggest. Check the kit regularly to make sure the flashlight batteries work and to

remove and replace any expired medicines or other contents.

Prepare an earthquake survival kit containing emergency supplies packed in an easy-to-carry

container you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate. Here is a list of basic

supplies to include in your kit:

One gallon of water per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week

supply for home)

Non-perishable food items (3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week supply for home)

Flashlight, battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) and

extra batteries

First aid kit and medications (7-day supply) and medical items

Multi-purpose tools (Swiss Army knife, manual can opener, small hand tools)

Sanitation and personal hygiene items

Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof

of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)

Cell phone with both automobile and household chargers

Family and emergency contact information

http://www.redcross.org/take-a-classhttps://www.getreadygear.com/category/first-aid-supplies


Extra cash

Emergency blanket(s)

Local area maps

If applicable:

Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)

Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, vaccination record, food, carrier, bowl)

Additional medical supplies: hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses,

syringes, etc.

During the earthquake

If youre indoors, stay there and immediately find a safe place and drop, cover and hold on. Do

not run downstairs or rush outdoors while the building is shaking. Stay out of the kitchen if

possible most kitchens are full of dangerous cooking utensils, small appliances and other

objects that can fall on you.

If youre outdoors, immediately move away from any buildings and try to find a clear area away

from power lines, telephone poles, other houses, sidewalks or streets. Lay down on the ground

and cover your head, but try to stay aware of whats going on around you. If youre on a hillside,

watch out for landslides, uprooted trees, falling rocks and other debris loosened by the

earthquake.

If youre driving, move your vehicle as far out of traffic as possible and come to a careful stop.

Do not stop the car beneath a bridge or overpass, under trees, light posts, telephone poles, traffic

or street signs or power lines. Remain inside your vehicle until the shaking stops and do not

resume driving until you have checked the pavement for wide cracks, fallen rocks or a bumpy

surface.


When the shaking stops, check yourself carefully for any injuries, then locate your first aid kit.

Tend to your own minor injuries first youll be more help to others if you care for yourself.

Check on your family members and any other people around you, being careful when

moving around any hazards created by fallen or broken items or furniture.

Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless theyre in immediate danger of

further injury. Cover the seriously injured with blankets to keep them warm and try to

seek or wait for help. Depending on the severity of an earthquake, mobile phone or

landline service may or may not be available.

Tend to minor wounds, scrapes or bruises with supplies from your first aid kit and

whatever household items you can easily and safely access.

Look for and extinguish any small fires using any available resources. Fire is the most

common hazard following an earthquake due to broken gas lines or damaged electrical

lines or appliances, so it must be prevented from spreading.

Leave the gas turned on at the main valve unless you can smell or hear it escaping, in

which case it should be shut off immediately.

Inspect your home for damage and get everyone safely moved out if it seems unstable;

aftershocks can cause further damage to an unsound building. Have your family members

stay together away from the house, trees, power lines and obviously damaged areas.

When everyone is safe, check on and assist any neighbors who may need help. The

elderly and disabled may require additional assistance in getting out of their homes

safely.

As is the case with any emergency situation, prior planning and preparation can prevent a

potentially serious situation from becoming a tragedy. Don't wait until the need arises to take

measures to protect yourself and your family - prepare now.

Jim Serre has over 30 years of engineering, process safety management consulting and

corporate training experience. He has over 7 years of Cal EMA qualified Search & Rescue

experience and has provided Emergency Training to thousands of citizens in neighborhoods,

businesses and faith-based groups. He is a certified instructor for FEMAs Community

Emergency Response Team training; a Disaster Services instructor for the American Red Cross;

and an ASHI qualified CPR/First Aid instructor. Additionally, his knowledge of survival and

preparedness skills make him uniquely qualified to design emergency kits that can save your life.

For more emergency preparedness information and training capabilities see his website at

www.getreadygear.com.

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Earthquake Preparedness in California