How To Be Ready For The Next Earthquake
Can you use some tips on how to be ready for the next earthquake? If you live in areas that you know will have an earthquake sooner than later, please listen up. Mark and I went with some friends yesterday to a park with our lunch to enjoy the beautiful weather here in Southern Utah. The sun was shining, and the leaves on the trees were absolutely beautiful. We could see others enjoying their lunch at adjoining tables.
Then we received a text from our daughter in Southern California that her apartment was swaying from a 6.6 earthquake. It was later adjusted to a 6.4 earthquake. They are still having aftershocks, and now there is a 90% chance another one will be much higher. Mother Nature will let us know very soon.
After lunch, we headed home and I called my daughter. As a prepper, I asked her a few things that any mother would ask. Do you have water? Do you have food storage? Is your car full of gas? You may remember I gave all of our daughters a very practical gift for Christmas. I had four cases of BlueCan Water shipped to all of them. The least expensive place to purchase them is from a company called BROWNELLS. Please sign up for their email and watch for discounts and FREE SHIPPING.
Get Ready For The Next Earthquake
Before The Next Earthquake
- Store water-4 gallons per person per day: Water Storage Ideas
- Have food storage-use my chart to get started: Where Do I Start
- Keep up on laundry-you may lose power for days, weeks, or more.
- Organize your 72-hour kit-store it where you will grab it if evacuated.
- Keep your gas tank at least 3/4 full, I use to say 1/2 full, but not anymore.
- Stock paper products for eating, you’ll use less water.
- Personal hygiene, toilet paper, menstrual supplies if needed, diapers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, hand soap, deodorant, and shampoo.
- Get at least 2 can openers.
- If you have a way to cook your food, that’s awesome: Butane Stove
- Secure any items on walls or furniture that may fall and injure you.
- Have several flashlights ready with extra batteries.
- If the sewer lines are severed, I hope you have an emergency toilet.
- Store bleach, soap, and lots of hand sanitizer.
- Have an emergency kit for your pets, a bag with water and food dishes, vaccination information, a crate, food, doggy poop bags, a leash, a harness, and a blanket.
- Please keep your phone charged and have a way to charge it with solar if we lose power.
- Get a good radio with NOAA information.
- Please register with your county REVERSE 911 notification so you will hear about disasters or emergencies in your location. You will receive a text ASAP when issued.
During The Next Earthquake
- If you’re in your car, pull over and park your car away from trees, buildings, overpasses, and electrical wires.
- If you are in bed, stay there, and cover your head and neck with pillows.
- Please stay away from your door frames.
- Drop, cover your cover head and neck (I remember doing it in school).
- If you are outside, stay in place and hopefully, you can return to your home if it’s structurally safe.
- Please check on your neighbors, there may be some who need help.
- Watch for fires, gas line breaks, broken glass, and fallen electrical wires.
After The Next Earthquake
- Go inland if possible to avoid a possible tsunami.
- Do not enter damaged buildings.
- Have a list of phone numbers of people you may want to contact.
- If you are trapped, scream, or bang objects to get someone’s attention.
- Once you determine you are safe, use gloves, long sleeves, pants, and sturdy shoes with good socks to check on your home or neighborhood.
- If your emergency radio works, listen to the information to learn the worst scenario areas near you.
- Check on neighbors who may need help.
- Watch for looting and be prepared to protect your valuables.
Final Word
We sometimes think something happens to others but maybe not to us. I encourage you to think again, we must be prepared for whatever comes our way. We must be prepared to take care of ourselves if that next earthquake hits our neighborhood. It may be a hurricane, a fire, or a flood, but it doesn’t matter, we are responsible to take care of our family. Please do not think the government or your local city or county leaders will deliver food and water to you after a disaster, it’s not going to happen, I can promise you that. May God bless this world, Linda
Hi, Linda, please remind people to check for gas leaks before lighting anything. Also, three small things in your pocket can make a big difference: a whistle can be heard farther and blown for far longer than a voice ( three short blows, then pause is the signal for distress); a tiny led flashlight can help a lot if it is dark, use for short times to save batteries; a car key can get you to your supplies or away from a situation if you are not near your purse. Other things, I read–and it seems to help when I have done it– during a quake, tell it to stop over and over until it stops, sounds silly, but psychlogically it gives you a feeling of power and afterwards remember to take slow deep breaths so you do not hyperventilate. Stay safe and be prepared!
Hi Jan, great tips, I’m going to add them to the post. It’s funny, I believe in the feeling of power as well!! I’m going to add a whistle to my key ring today! Why didn’t I do this before?? Better late than ever! Love your comment! Linda
Jan ~ I love the: “Tell it to stop.” That does sound powerful!!
How funny to see this the day after we had the largest earthquake in 20 years here in Southern California. We were 120 miles away from the epicenter but I felt it. I sat watching my hanging pot rack play me a tune of banging pots and pans. No damage in our home but lots elsewhere. I’m so conditioned for them having lived her 62 years. We were in Dallas last month, the day after a big storm tore thru with 80 mph winds. People panicked and were obviously unprepared. Shelves all week were empty of flashlights, batteries etc. Electric was out up to 6 days for a lot of people. Refrigerator and freezer sections were empty for the week. Some had caution tape across them because spoiled food inside was yet to be cleaned out. I’m so grateful we are mostly prepared. The time to prepare is NOW, not the day after! Thanks for your helpful and great posts.
HI Debra, my single mom daughter lives in Huntington Beach and she’s keeping me posted on the aftershocks. I sure hope people step up to the plate and have the supplies they need BEFORE they need them! Like you said, NOW! Great comment, thank you, Linda
I felt the earthquake yesterday. I have food in my stock, but I realize I need some more food that u don’t have to prepare. I have water, and I think its oh k right now, but I probably need more cuz I have two dogs.
HI Sandra, I think every time we have an earthquake, hurricane, or another natural disaster we all evaluate what we have right NOW. I was thinking I wish I had sent more water to my daughter. I just hope everyone look at what they have stored. We must be prepared before the disaster. It sounds like you’re okay from the earthquake, glad to hear. Stay safe. Linda
Shoes go right by the bed. Don’t wanna step on broken glass or legos that fell off the shelf lol
Hi Matt, I hear you on that one!!! Linda
Buying food and emergency supply’s BEFORE a disaster is wise, and is called preparing.
Buying it all in a panic AFTER a disaster is my definition of hoarding.
Police and fire stations have their personnel buy all the available batteries so they can see and communicate.
A Safeway manager told me that after the Loma Prieta quake the affected stores put out a call for water, batteries and Oreos.
Hi Lynn, interesting, Oreos!! Buying before is the right thing to do. Great comment! Linda
Linda, people should take photos of the outside and inside of their home and file them. After an earthquake if they have structural damage they have proof. If you have a breakfront or china cabinet, or any heavy piece of furniture that could cause serious injury if it might tip over, should be stabilized. The rods attach to top of the furniture and the ceiling, to keep it from falling, they are very inexpensive. We were in Japan for the 2011 earthquake and we had stabilized our furniture before the quake. We did not have much breakage, and nothing tipped over, and we were about 70 km from the epicenter.
Hi Linda, great comment! I’m glad you thought to stabilize your furniture in Japan. Taking pictures is a great tip! I just had a friend take pictures of everything in her house for insurance purposes. Great idea! Linda
Our daughter lives in Ridgecrest and once I knew they were safe; I asked her if she was prepared. I’m sure she was rolling her eyes as she replied she was.
Hi Linda, oh my gosh!! That city had all the grocery stores closed. WOW! My daughter lives in Huntington Beach which is farther away. I had to laugh at the rolling her eyes. We still ask because we are moms!!! Love it! Linda
Yes good stuff! We do that too and a walk thru video for insurance. We store one copy in the tornado storm shelter and another at a place away from here.
Thank you for this post on earthquakes. When I was younger I thought we here in Texas were safe from earthquakes. Little did I know that I-35 which is about 8 miles away from where I live, is built on a fault line !! I hopefully have what I need if we do have a big earthquake here or near here. We have had several very small quakes in the area. No damage to speak of. I pray for those out in California. I can’t imagine the fear they must feel. I prepare for my family and myself because you don’t know what can happen.You need backups for your backups. One is none and 2 is one. The fires in Alaska are very near to where my brother lives. My sister has property across the road from his (which used to be my mom’s home). We don’t know if anything was lost, as no one can get into that area. (My sister tried yesterday and was turned away(my brother went missing back on Feb18, 2019 and the person we had house sitting was away working when the fire started).I urge people to get prepared for anything, not just one thing. You are a blessing to all of us. God Bless you and your family.
OH Judy, your brother is still missing? Oh my gosh, this has to be so stressful. I’m so sorry my friend!!! Those Alaska fires have got to be bad, we see nothing on the TV about them. At least where I live in Southern Utah. Please keep me posted, this is terrible. I’m praying for you and your family. God bless you, Linda
Judy ~
So sorry to hear about your brother.
As for the fire, my brother is on a fire in Alaska – not sure the location but I could get a message to my sister-in-law and she could perhaps tell me. What area is your AK fire in?
My sister and brother-in-law were evacuated last year due to a large forest fire. They were fortunate in that the fire came within 100 yards of their back yard. BUT, they have a huge drive/parking area in front of their home and right next to the road. There were 4 or 5 water tankers hanging out there. So their home was spared. Not so in 1994 when another fire came through that same area when my father lived at the same location. His home was NOT spared. It is so stressful for all and a different kind of stress when we are not there supporting/helping our family.
my brother’s property and home are in the Sunshine area of Talkeena. Last we heard (yesterday) the fire was 2- 3 miles away from the property. This is the Montana Creek fire.
I contacted my sister in law and she has not been in contact with my brother since he went to AK for the fires. She does not know what fire he is on. If I get any more information, I will let you know.
I find hard to see people suffering when despite the potential tragedy and problems that they may encounter, if they would get well prepared, they could mitigate or even avoid a lot of their troubles after the crisis has struck.
We here all know that stores run out of supplies quickly, but think about all the available supplies, the food and water we can purchase from all the stores near us on any given day. Sometimes my father has asked me to buy water at BJ’s and they have enough water to fill several pickup trucks just sitting there. If people buy more, the store will reorder sooner. It’s not hoarding nor is it “unfair” to others of you buy early, there will be plenty if not more for everyone.
It’s good of you to remind us, so we in turn can be fully prepared and hopefully warn and encourage others to do so.
Thank Frank, we can all use a reminder now and then. I just hope a lot of people stock up now. Linda