Earthquake Preparedness
Preparedness refers to activities we do prior to an earthquake to be ready to respond to and recover from significant ground shaking. When it comes to earthquakes, there are simple things you can do to improve your chances of survival and recovery. Anything you do today will be like making a deposit in your survivability savings account for withdrawal in tough times.
At a minimum, you should be prepared to be isolated and on your own for at least three days and nights. There will likely be the loss of utilities after a disaster. It is possible the power will be out, water may be scarce, gas lines may break, phones and cell towers could become inoperable, roads might be impassible, etc. Your only source of news may well be the car radio, assuming your local radio station has a working generator. There might not be medical assistance for days.
To begin preparing your home and family:
- Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them.
- Create a disaster-preparedness plan.
- Create disaster kits.
- Identify your building's potential weaknesses and begin to fix them.
- Protect yourself during earthquake shaking.
- After the quake, check for injuries and damage.
- When safe, continue to follow your disaster-preparedness plan.
- Reprinted From "Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country"
Many websites and organizations have published checklists online to help you prepare. Sample Disaster Plans can make it easier for you to customize one for your family, business, non-governmental agencies, schools, utilities, hospitals, governmental agencies, tribes and others . Information for preparing your home, business, family, pets, seniors, children, those with access and functional needs is available on the Cal OES website. (add link)
Contact your local emergency management office or local American Red Cross chapter for more information.