Earthquake Preparedness Guide
Because it's coming.
So after back-to-back giant earthquakes hit Southern California, I thought it would be good to round up some resources on earthquakes and preparedness. So here we go.
First off, you should know that the Richter magnitude scale IS NOT a normal scale. It’s based on a logarithmic basis (remember that from trigonometry class?) That means:
Because of the logarithmic basis of the scale, each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude; as an estimate of energy, each whole number step in the magnitude scale corresponds to the release of about 31 times more energy than the amount associated with the preceding whole number value.
Still confused? Watch this video.
(If you like reading, here’s a link from the LA Times describing magnitudes)
This is why a 8.0 earthquake is WAY MORE DESTRUCTIVE than a 7.0 earthquake. The 7.1 earthquake on Friday was about 10 TIMES STRONGER 10 times stronger than the 6.4 that happened on 4th of july
The reason I’m going through this first is because you need to understand the gravity of the situation. If a 7.0 earthquake comes anywhere near a population center, there will be a lot of damage. And so we need to prepare.
A Big Earthquake is Happening. What should you do?
The biggest thing is: Don’t let things fall on you directly. If you can find something to go under OR something that you can crouch next to so it will take the fall, that’s your best option. PLUS, if there is some sort of collapse, the objects will help create a bit of space around your face that will allow you to breathe.
But here are some specific tips. I am culling from the Los Angeles Times and from The Big One, a giant project by KPCC to help people to get ready. I’ll share links and stuff at the bottom.
From The Big One:
SO...WHAT DO I DO WHEN THE QUAKE HITS?
Do not run.
Do not run.
Do not run.
Once more for the folks in the back: Do not run.
If you run while the earth is shaking you are likely to sprain an ankle, break a leg or a myriad other injuries because the ground, again, is moving. Think about what might happen if you’re on a treadmill that unexpectedly starts moving.
This also applies if you're inside. Fight the urge to flee the building even if you are worried about becoming trapped in rubble. Outside is not safe. That’s because glass will be shattering out of windows and raining down onto you.
The LA Times can take it from here:
In a high-rise building, office or school
Move away from windows. Drop on your hands and knees, cover your head with your arms and hold on to your neck. Hold on to a table if you can, while keeping your other arm over your head. If there’s no desk, crawl to an interior wall and cover your head and neck.
While driving
Pull over to the side of the road. Stop. Set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, and signs. Remain in the car until the shaking stops. Drive carefully to avoid fallen debris and damaged pavement.
In bed
Don’t get out of bed. Lie face down to protect your body from falling objects. Cover your head and neck with a pillow. Keep your arms as close to your head as possible.
Outdoors
Move away from power lines, buildings and vehicles. Then drop, cover and hold on. That protects you from anything thrown sideways at you, even if nothing is above you.
The doorway is not the safest place to be in an earthquake
It’s a myth that a doorway is a safe place to be in an earthquake. (That’s only true for old, unreinforced adobe houses.) In modern homes, you’re actually at risk of the door swinging into you while you’re shaken.
So what can I do now to prepare?
One of the best things I’ve seen to help you figure out how prepared you are is “FEMA’s Earthquake Safety Checklist”
This booklet is designed to help you and your family plan for and survive a major earthquake. By taking action to be prepared, you can lessen the impact of an earthquake on your family. Set aside some emergency supplies and make a plan for what to do at home before, during and after a disaster. You could be without help for at least 72 hours, or as long as two weeks. Self-sufficiency during this time is key.
Listen to “The Big One”
It’s a podcast series about what the big earthquake would do to Los Angeles AND it helps you to prepare. It’s why Jason has been stashing water all over our house (and you should too) and why he never leaves the gas tank “almost empty” and why we are so grateful to have a bunch of those little gas burners that we use for Korean bbq.
If you DON’T want to listen to it, at least click through each episode on the website because they have illustrated graphics with really good tips.
ALSO THIS GIANT GUIDE by “The Big One” is super helpful. It helps explain about what earthquakes are, shows you scary scenarios to put you in the right perspective, gives you links, etc.
Download ShakeAlertLA
It’s an app made by the city that will let you know (at least a few seconds in advance) that a big quake is coming. It didn’t do such a hot job these last two quakes (big quakes, no one got alerts, they said it was because the epicenter was far), but they said they are updating it by the end of the month. Just download it. Every second helps.
EVEN MORE STUFF FROM THE LA TIMES
Can you tell I love our local newspaper? They have their own guide, which I think gives you a lot of good practical tips that goes into even more specifics than the FEMA guide (so I would actually do the FEMA list first, then go through this one). They also have a fun “quiz” version if that gets you more motivated (for every earthquake-preparedness thing you have, you give yourself points).
There is A LOT more information out there, but I don’t want to overwhelm you (too late?) so I’ll leave it at that. If I roundup some more good info, I’ll pass it along.
Stay safe, everyone!