Recent earthquakes in Northern California and the Bay Area are serving as reminders to get ready for the next big one.
In most situations, if you feel shaking you should immediately:
DROP onto your hands and knees. This position reduces your chances of being hit by falling or flying objects and protects you from being knocked down.
COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand
- If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter.
- If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall.
- Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.
HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
- Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
- No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.
There are many things you can do now to keep your home and family safe. Secure tall furniture, like bookcases, cabinets, and hutches, to walls. Have an escape plan with multiple escape routes from your home and community. Make sure you have a basic disaster supplies kit in your home. Here's a short list of essential items:
- Flashlight
- Water
- Non-perishable food
- Medication
- Emergency contact list
- Pet food and supplies
Find more ideas on what to put in your kit at https://www.ready.gov/kit.
Take steps now to learn more about your home’s gas and electrical service:
- Locate your gas service shutoff valve and learn how to turn off your home’s gas. Gas shutoff includes your main line and individual appliances.
- Avoid turning off your home’s gas without a clear sign that it is leaking. Depending on how many customers are without gas service, it may take an extended period of time for PG&E to turn your gas services back on.
- Locate your main electric switch and learn how to turn off your electric supply
See more tips from PG&E.
Download the MyShake App, which is an earthquake early warning network for your phone. It keeps you informed about earthquakes and monitors for them using data from your phone’s sensors.
Here are more links with excellent resources and information:
Register to get emergency alerts via cell phone, email, and landline with the Contra Costa County Community Warning System at https://cwsalerts.com/. On this website, click on "Know Your Zone" to learn in advance what evacuation zone you're in.
Follow us on Twitter at @CCCounty www.twitter.com/cccounty for more updates (you can see posts without a login).