Living in California we are often warned about the “The Big One”- when an earthquake causes the state to drop into Pacific. Before you panic, that is an old myth. California cannot drop into the ocean. A separation from the rest of the country would take millions of years to occur. While the state is overdue for a major earthquake along the San Andreas Fault, no one can predict when it will occur. Meanwhile there are foreshocks, main shocks and aftershocks that rattle nerves, cause property damage and disrupt lives. Being prepared for these events is necessary when living in Earthquake Country.
Supplies
In the aftermath of a major earthquake, the first things to vanish from stores shelves are bottles of water. Keeping a few days worth of drinking water in your garage or cabinets is a must in California. Make a habit of rotating the bottles by using older bottles and replacing them with new.
Canned food should also be rotated. Stocking foods with long shelf lives and that do not require heating or refrigeration is also important: Vienna sausages, Spam etc. Packaged juices and powdered milk are also good. Make sure you have disposable plates and utensils. Think picnic without perishables. Extra baby formula, pet foods, medications and other special necessities should also be set aside for emergencies.
Stash flashlights and extra batteries in accessible locations throughout the house. The last thing you want to do right after an earthquake is light candles. This may sound obvious, but not everyone realizes the possibility of gas lines being shaken loose during a sudden jolt. Speaking of gas lines, a wrench should be handy to turn-off the gas lines to the house immediately after a significant earthquake at least until property damage can be assessed. A battery-powered radio is also a necessity to receive emergency broadcasts.
Large earthquakes are followed by numerous aftershocks. You may not feel comfortable in your house, especially if you are on the second floor. Have folding chairs, blankets and extra clothing readily available in case of an emergency.
Speaking of extra clothes, earthquakes are unpredictable. They happen in the middle of the day, the morning or the night. They occur while people are at work or on their way to work, on their way home or during a big party. An extra set of clothes with sneakers, a bottle or two of water, extra medications and a flashlight should always be in the trunk of the car. Your family should have also established a safe meeting place, like a school or a park, and everyone should have the number of one particular relative who resides outside of the state.
Safety
When an earthquake occurs, take cover in a door jam and stay away from windows. Afterwards, make sure everyone is safe and carefully exit your home. If it is night, grab your flashlight and be careful of where you step. Once outside, watch for downed power lines and other hazards such as broken sidewalks. Shut-off your gas line, check on neighbors and wait for instructions from emergency personnel. If you have crates for your dogs and cats, it might be wise to crate them to prevent them from running off.
Even if earthquakes do not frighten you, the frequent aftershocks will eventually unnerve and stress you. Know that aftershocks will subside over time and California will never drop into the ocean. What felt like a major event to you was a small change on the earth’s surface.
Preparation and knowledge are keys to surviving earthquakes well. For more information, visit sites like the Southern California Earthquake Center website at www.scec.org.
