What to do before, during and after earthquakes.

Your Guide to Earthquake Preparation, Response, and Recovery.

Weather extremes, fault planes, epicenters. We’ve all heard about it on the six o’clock news. But how prepared are we for an earthquake? Let’s look into the basics everyone should know, the supplies we’ll want on hand, and important preparations to take before a quake.

But first, let’s recap some of those lessons we might’ve learned in an earth science class.

Earthquakes are happening all the time!

Explore magnitude 2.5+ Earthquakes in the past week

Data source: USGS

What exactly is an earthquake? Simply put, an earthquake occurs when two blocks of Earth slip past each other. Where that slip occurs is called the fault plane and where it originates is called the epicenter. There might be smaller, less discernible foreshocks at a quake’s epicenter before you feel the mainshock, which is the most impactful part of the sequence. Then smaller aftershocks will follow. While they may be less intense they have been known to recur weeks, even years, after the initial jolt and can still cause significant harm.

Overall earthquakes vary in strength, which can range from smaller more subtle shifts to events that are able to cause significant destruction. A quake’s strength will depend largely on the degree of slip and the fault’s size—along with numerous other variables. How it feels to you is contingent on all of those factors and your proximity to its epicenter.

Earthquake Seismograph
Seismograph: instrument that makes a record of seismic waves caused by an earthquake, explosion, or other Earth-shaking phenomenon.
Earthquake P and S Waves
P or Primary Compression Waves travel the fastest. S or Secondary Shear Waves only travel through solids.

A seismograph is used to measure the motion of the Earth during an earthquake and to digitally record both the P wave, or the stretching and compression of the Earth’s crustal material, and the S wave, its perpendicular movement. Using this data, scientists can report the precise magnitude of an event based on its number on the Richter scale. This ranges between 1.0, a rarely felt microearthquake, and 9.0 or higher, which might cause near full destruction.

Before the Quake

Since earthquakes can cause such damage, it’s important to understand your risk.

If you’re located in a high-risk area or if you’ve endured a sizable quake in your lifetime, you get the value in why preparing is so important. The most important thing is to get through it with little to no harm. That’s why FEMA recommends everyone knows and rehearse a drill called Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

Here’s how it goes:

DROP

Earthquake Drill Drop
Step One. Drop to your hands and knees when you begin to feel shaking or as soon as you receive an alert.

COVER

Earthquake Drill Cover
Step Two. Cover your head with your arms, cover your neck with your hands, and bend over to protect your vital organs.

HOLD ON

Earthquake Drill Seek
Step Three. Seek shelter or coverage, such as a table you can crouch beneath. Then grip the leg of that table or a sturdy object nearby.

Where to begin? Start with the big 3!

Simple but important steps you can do right now :

1:

Visit the Earthquake Country Alliance to find out how prevalent earthquakes are in your area. They are a good resource to prepare and protect your person and property.

2:

Receive updates and real-time alerts:

3:

Make a plan before the shake. Review how to turn off utilities like gas and electricity, create or update an Emergency Contact Sheet, then share it with family and friends.

Another important step is to identify potential shelters beforehand and have their address available quickly. To locate your potential shelter use our Emergency Shelter Locator anytime.

That in mind, think too about where you could go if you were evacuated. What route could you take? How will alerts arrive? Which contacts might you need right away, such as doctors or veterinarians? Then pull it all together into a basic communication plan. Build and update your own Emergency Contact Sheet anytime here using the AidTeam toolkit.

If you have children, here is a playful way of creating your own child-friendly alert. Simply write Earthquake Detection Kit across the top of a sheet of paper, then glue on two large wiggly eyes. When you teach children to Drop, Cover, and Hold On, let them know that this is what to do if they see the eyes wiggle.

Supplies:

Now let’s think about supplies and provisions to sustain you and your family for days on end. While that initial stock-up process can be costly, you can always purchase a little each month. Then keep those up to date by checking expirations and reassessing your needs from time to time. Most experts advise to keep an emergency kit at home, one in the car, and another at work. Enjoy customizing your go-bags and emergency kits to suit your individual needs and lifestyle.

Commonly suggested items for your list:
  • Water: 1 Gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Children, nursing mothers and injuries may require more water. Drink what you need each day and don’t ration unless told to by authorities. Carbonated beverages are not a substitute for drinking water.

  • Food: What to pack: (Non-perishable and doesn’t need refrigeration)

    • Canned ready-to-eat meats, fruits, vegetables and juices along with an opener. If the cans are swollen or rusted don’t eat the contents.
    • High-energy foods like protein or fruit bars, they weigh less but can carry you farther.
    • Dry cereal, granola, peanut butter, and dried fruit will last but do need an annual swap.
    • Travel cooking and serving utensils, it’s easy to save a pre-packed set from a take-out meal.
  • Medical needs: A First-Aid Kit is a must, and any regular over-the-counter medications. Soap. Keep a spare set of glasses or a travel contacts if needed.

  • Multi-tool: For everything. Otherwise bring at least a safe sharp knife and a pair of pliers.

  • Light Sources: Flashlight with extra batteries in case the power goes out.

  • Safety Supplies: Whistle to signal for help. Dusk masks to keep your lungs cleaner. Earbuds for sleeping.

  • Paperwork: Local Maps and a printed emergency contact documents.

  • Spare clothes: Having an extra par of socks and underwear can go along way.

  • Cash: Keep some extra cash handy, small bills help with purchases.

  • Entertainment like games and puzzles to help settle the nerves.

  • Educational tools: Search the Kids Resource Library from Ready.gov for ideas.

  • Physical copy of the family Emergency Contact Sheet with a photo and contact information.

+ Pets:
  • ID tag with current information.
  • Sturdy leash and travel carrier if needed.

  • Food and water for a week with bowls.

  • Disposal bag and/or litter pan as necessary.
  • Toys, treats and a blanket.

  • Current photo and contact information including any medial needs.

  • Pets that are microchipped greatly help shelters and rescue efforts.

+ Extra Credit:
  • Purifying water: Learn to disinfect water by boiling it or go further using distillation. Special travel filters often exist with the camping supplies that can safely convert a local water source into drinkable water.

  • Portable power: Mobile cell phone charger, backup battery, or solar charger.

  • Backup Vehicle Starter: Many also contain a flashlight and double as a mobile device charger.

  • Cooking supplies: Camping stoves, cutting board sand clean knives will make mealtime easier.

  • Comfort food: Take care of your mental health and pack some favorite flavors.

  • Spices: A little fresh salt, pepper and sugar can go a long way in improving your meal.

  • Useful tools: Work gloves, strong tape, matches, fire extinguisher, rope, trash bags, toilet paper.

  • More lights: Camping lanterns provide additional light but often need more batteries.

  • Staying warm: Beyond an extra set of clothes if you have the space bring a favorite blanket for sleeping.

  • Dedicated toiletry bag: Start with a simple toothbrush and toothpaste and keep adding.

  • Medial Supplies: To help yourself and others consider medical supplies like: gloves, bandages, tape, gause, alcohol and antiseptic pads, scissors, tweezers, eye wash just to start.

  • Music: Keep spirits up by playing music for yourself, and maybe others if they are feeling the same vibe.

Minimizing Property Damage:

Now let’s take a look at a few common-sense strategies to help minimize property damage and injuries caused by falling objects.

Remove anything heavier than a feather from your wall or anything on shelving that resides just above your beds. It’s important to avoid the risk of a heavy object falling down on us while we’re sleeping. The same holds true for heavy or delicate items that could tumble from shelving elsewhere in your house. Consider what might be on display above the couch or crib, the higher an object, the greater the potential for injury or breakage.

All of that shaking can affect items stored inside of cabinetry and lockers as well, rattling doors open and allowing objects to fall off of their ledge. To avoid this, install strong hinges that can stop items from crashing. Heavy hanging objects, such as wall-mounted televisions, should be properly mounted with parts overrated for the object’s weight. Take a look at appliances and utilities, such as water heaters, dryers, and refrigerators—anything that might face the risk of shifting or tipping. Use flexible, bendable pipes that offer some give and strap down all that you can. Checkout these recommendations and consider what what your home might require. Consider hiring a professional if you’re not sure.

A list of utility straps from Ready America:

If any chemicals or substances are stored in a way that has the potential to react when mixed, move them to a safer and more secure location below eye level with their proper lips or restraints. This holds true for chemicals in your garage as well as your kitchen—think vinegar + baking soda. AidTeam provides related information on methods for protecting your home from fires and documenting your assets for insurance purposes.

Insuring Your Stuff:

If you’re a homeowner in a high-risk region, consider adding earthquake protection to your homeowner’s insurance coverage. A few considerations for specialized earthquake coverage include:

Earthquake Insurance References (in alphabetical order):

After you’ve taken the above preparations, continue to review and update your supplies and records periodically. Set an Annual Reminder! ⏱like before the holidays – for checking expirations, replacing batteries, and testing fire extinguishers and smoke alarms.

During the Quake

Regardless of your due diligence, little can prepare you for the jolt of waking at dawn to an unnerving sense that the ground is shaking beneath you. But with a little practice, Drop, Cover, and Hold On should become second nature. And that’s always your first step.

In bed

If you are in bed

Turn face down and cover your neck with your pillow to protect yourself from any falling objects. Stay protected until the shaking stops.

In the car

In a vehicle

Pull over to the side of the road and move away from buildings. Secure your vehicle’s emergency brake and check for any potential hazards. Stay clear of and report failing utilities and electrical lines.

Inside

Inside a building

Stay inside! Get away from windows and rooms with tools and kitchens. Move under something strong like a table or desk, and then hang on. Cover your eyes from falling objects. Don’t use elevators, rush down stairs or try and leave the building.

Outside

Outside a building

Get into the clear, move away from structures and buildings. Check for any potential hazards like fires, including electrical from falling power lines. Once you’ve settled into a safe location, be on the lookout for others with injuries, try to get them out of harm’s way.

After the Quake

A sense of relief might settle in once the worst part of the quake is over. But this might be premature.

Once you’ve settled into a safe location keep aware of new hazards such as fires, including electrical from falling power lines. Careful of chemical spills, damaged foundations and broken glass. Be on the lookout for others with injuries, using your or their first aid kit to provide assistance. If there’s anyone that’s severely injured, try to get them out of harm’s way. Then help to guide emergency workers as they arrive on the scene—paying extra attention to children who might not feel safe.

Remember, that was just the mainshock. Next will come subtler yet still damaging aftershocks that could shift already compromised objects like dishes that are balancing on a ledge, along with critical infrastructure.

You can protect yourself by moving away from already damaged or compromised buildings. Cover your mouth, nose, and eyes from dust and stay alert for new potential hazards. If it’s safe turn off utilities like power, gas and water to reduce further damage.

When the rumbling begins to stop, check yourself for iInjuries first, then help others. As a safety precaution, local utilities may be shut down and access to property or neighborhoods might be limited. Expect communication to be interrupted or lost, help reduce the load on the network and save your battery by sending text messages rather than calling when possible. Buildings might also need to be checked before you can return home.

If you need an emergency shelter check the Red Cross’s Shelter Locator for the latest updates. You might also qualify for financial assistance or home repair grants through DisasterAssistance.gov. Depending on where you are, be mindful of further potential hazards, flooding, tsunamis, and landslides can all occur more frequently after the earth shifts.

More from AidTeam
Finding Local Emergency Shelters
Using A Fire Extinguisher

The aftermath of an earthquake can be taxing, but stay clear and persevere. Reflect on your experiences and learn from your mistakes. And above all, take care of your mental health along with your family’s, your friends’, and neighbors’. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Life can be unpredictable. But with a little due diligence, you’ll have the knowledge and plans you need to remain calm and play it safe in an emergency.

Plus, AidTeam is always here to help. We keep you safe, informed, prepared, and empowered when a disaster strikes. Visit our toolkit anytime for more resources.

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