THEY CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE

Earthquakes are the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of underground rock. They can collapse buildings, cause serious injuries and property damage, and trigger tsunamis, landslides, avalanches, floods and fires.

PREPARE NOW

• Secure items such as televisions and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.

• Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with family and coworkers. Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl only as far as needed to reach cover from falling materials. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.

• Create a family emergency communication plan that has an out-of-state contact. Plan where to meet if you get separated.

• Make a supply kit that includes enough food and water for at least three days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, and a whistle. Consider each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.

• Consider a retrofit of your home/building if it has structural issues that make it vulnerable to collapse during an earthquake.

LIMIT DAMAGE DURING

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On like you practiced (see above).

• If in bed, stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow.

• If inside, stay there until the shaking stops. DO NOT run outside.

• If in a vehicle, stop in a clear area that is away from buildings, trees, overpasses, underpasses, or utility wires.

• If you are in a high-rise building, expect fire alarms and sprinklers to go off. Do not use elevators.

• If near slopes, cliffs, or mountains, be alert for falling rocks and landslides.

BE SAFE AFTER

• Expect aftershocks to follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence.
• Check yourself for injury.
• Do not enter damaged buildings, but If in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building.
• If you are trapped, send a text or bang on a pipe or wall. Cover your mouth for protection and instead of shouting, use a whistle.
• If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.
• Save phone calls for emergencies.
• Wear sturdy shoes and work gloves to help in the aftermath.

FOR ALL EMERGENCIES: CORAC runs a HAM radio net and Signal groups. If communication goes out for any length of time, meet outside your local Church at 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings if it is safe to do so. Tell friends at Church now in case you can’t then. CORAC teams will be out looking for people to gather in and work with.