On July 5th Ridgecrest, California was hit by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. California residents have been conditioned to ignore the normal occurring earthquake tremors, however, this one was different.
According to the US Geological Survey the quake released 11 times the amount of energy that had hit just a day earlier on Independence Day. Buildings swayed, streets cracked, food fell off shelves at grocery stores, and several homes experience significant damage.
CNN Interviewed Ridgecrest resident Jaye Krona who spent the night on her friend’s driveway.
“With everything shaking, things are falling. It’s just not safe… I felt safer outside, and I felt me and her were safer together being in pairs.”
So, what can you do to ensure you are best prepared for an earthquake? Storm Packs is committed to researching and innovating the best solutions for modern emergency & survival situations. What follows is Earthquake 101, so you and your loved ones are as best prepared as possible.
What is an Earthquake?
“An earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another. The surface where they slip is called the fault or fault plane. The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicenter.” – USGS
“The plate boundaries are made up of many faults, and most of the earthquakes around the world occur on these faults. Since the edges of the plates are rough, they get stuck while the rest of the plate keeps moving. Finally, when the plate has moved far enough, the edges unstick on one of the faults and there is an earthquake.” - USGS
Where are Earthquakes most prevalent?
The graphic below are the locations around the world that have the most seismic activity. The area surrounding the Pacific Ocean and Western land masses has been called the “ring of fire” as it is the highest frequented activity for earthquakes.
How do you prepare for an Earthquake?
FEMA has listed 5 steps to preparing yourself and family for an Earthquake (Click here for full article).
- Have A Plan
If you haven’t filled out our Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for you and your family, stop and do that right now! It’s completely free and could help you and your family survive and find each other after an emergency.
- Reach Safely
Inside - Drop, Cover, and Hold On! This is the mantra to remember if you’re inside a building during an earthquake. Find an object like a desk or table, drop down, take cover under it, and hold on until the shaking stops.
Outside – Stay outside! Move away from buildings, tall structures, and trees that could fall on you.
Driving – If you are in a vehicle during an earthquake, safely pull over and stop on the side of the road. Avoid parking under buildings, trees, and tall structures. Avoid bridges and tunnels as they may have been damaged.
- Survive on Your Own
Be ready to survive on your own without assistance. For the “Big One” scientists are saying the West Coast is passed due for, governmental agencies expect the demand to be so high that most people may not receive any assistance for up to 14 days! Do you have an Emergency and Survival Pack? If no, get one that supports you and everyone in your household. If you do already have one, make sure it’s got what you need and items such as batteries and perishables have not expired. Most importantly, make sure you and all your family members know where the pack is located in your home! At Storm Packs, we like to recommend the coat closet near the entryway to your home.
- Stay in Contact
It’s important to get in contact with first responders and family members. Your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) will have a detailed flow for communication for you to follow. Cell phone, email, word of mouth, signaling, and many more options exist in desperate situations. Additionally, check back next week for our next blog “3 Apps That Could Save Your Life.” This blog will feature tools and techniques for how to use your phone in an emergency even if the network is down.
- Care for People, Pets, and Property
Call for help if someone is hurt! Depending on the severity of the emergency, first responders may or may not be able to reach you in a timely manner. Do not hesitate to apply first aid to anyone injured. First, move the individual to a safe location and then analyze the injuries. Even small cuts and scrapes left untreated can cause significant issues later on. The medical kit provided in our Storm Pack Emergency Kit (link) contains an outstanding emergency kit with instructions so anyone, even with no medical training, can apply basic first aid.
These steps are a simple and thorough way to ensure you and your family is ready for the next earthquake.
We hope our article helps! If you have any questions please leave us a comment, we are here to serve!
Resources:
https://www.fema.gov/earthquake-safety-home
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/05/us/california-earthquake/index.html