Some Sorta Very Light Shaking Goin' On

The dust has settled and the First 72 Hours have passed. Follow along as I build a long term plan via Prudent Prepping.

Yes, there was an earthquake today here in Northern California, but nothing much happened where I live. What has changed, though, are some basic safety instructions. The U.S. Geological Survey has good disaster readiness info for the whole country, with the following tips about 50% quake specific and 50% to general prepping advice. 

Another page, titled What should I do DURING an earthquake?, has the following advice:

• If you are INDOORS -- STAY THERE! Get under a desk or table and hang on to it (Drop, Cover, and Hold on!) or move into a hallway or against an inside wall. STAY CLEAR of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. GET OUT of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). DON'T run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.
• If you are OUTSIDE -- get into the OPEN, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.
• If you are DRIVING -- stop, but carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. DO NOT stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. STAY INSIDE your car until the shaking stops. When you RESUME driving, watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.
• If you are in a MOUNTAINOUS AREA -- watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.
• If you are near the OCEAN - see these safety rules from NOAA's Tsunami Warning Center. 

I have posted several articles covering earthquake prepping, so please follow that link for more information. There are also included links to other bloggers in my posts that contain information that either I didn't think about, or the authors had specific information and knowledge I don't have, that can help keep you safe!

In my opinion, an earthquake is no different than a tornado or hurricane in that there is potential damage which may occur; it's just that there's no current system to give early warning for one. What is different, however, is there are very few major earthquakes, and I seldom hear of a minor tornado or hurricane. (Oh, they exist; they just don't make the news outside the states where they happen. -- Editrix Erin)

Everyone stay safe, plan your winter swap-out of summer gear, and get ready for the changing seasons!

Recap and Takeaway 

• Quakes are not predictable, so be ready every day.
• Have your meeting places set, and backup plans for your backup plans.
• Set your vehicles up for local conditions.

* * *

Just a reminder: if you plan on buying anything through Amazon, please consider using our referral link. When you do, a portion of the sale comes back here to help keep this site running!

 

If you have comments, suggestions or corrections, please post them so we all can learn. And remember, Some Is Always Better Than None!

NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.