Reminder: The Great Shakeout Drill Today

 

# 7867

 

 

Later today across the U.S. roughly 3 dozen states, and globally nearly a dozen countries, will take part in The Great Shakeout earthquake drill (see NPM13: A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Going On), where millions of people will practice their ability to  Drop, Cover, & Hold On during an earthquake. A video, demonstrating the technique is available on the California Shakeout Youtube Channel.

 

It isn’t too late to join in, something you can easily do by visiting the Shakeout.org website.

 

As a bit of a motivator, I’ve included a brief (4 minute) video this morning that depicts the very plausible outcome of a 7.8 San Andreas earthquake in Southern California.

 

Of course, you don’t have to live in Southern California to be at risk from earthquakes, tsunamis or other seismic threats.  Much of the United States, and many countries around the world, are vulnerable.

 

 

Although I don’t currently live in earthquake country, I spent a decade living very near the middle of the bull’s eye in the center of the country (New Madrid), and so I would urge everyone living near one of these drill to take part each year, and to stay prepared for earthquakes . . . and any other disaster that might threaten.

 

For more on  disaster preparedness, I would invite you to visit:

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide

An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness

California Quakes : Concrete Concerns

SCEC Interactive Map – Significant Southern California Quakes

 

 

#7855

 

Yesterday the Los Angeles Times ran an extensive report on an in-house analysis of a number of large, and extremely vulnerable-during-an-earthquake, concrete buildings in that city.  The authors (Rong-Gong Lin II, Rosanna Xia and Doug Smith) state that the city has been aware of the dangers for decades, but has refused to require building owners to retrofit their properties for earthquake safety, despite the fact that the area is believed `overdue’ for a major earthquake.

 

It’s an informative report on seismic risks, earthquake resistant building techniques, and local politics. Well worth reading.

 

CONCRETE RISKS

The city has rejected calls to make a list of concrete buildings at risk of collapsing in a major quake, but a Times analysis finds there could be more than 1,000 — many of them homes and offices.

By Rong-Gong Lin II, Rosanna Xia and Doug Smith

October 13, 2013

More than 1,000 old concrete buildings in Los Angeles and hundreds more throughout the county may be at risk of collapsing in a major earthquake, according to a Times analysis.

By the most conservative estimate, as many as 50 of these buildings in the city alone would be destroyed, exposing thousands to injury or death.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

While admittedly a local story, Los Angeles isn’t the only major U.S. city with concrete buildings that lies in an active seismic zone; Memphis, St. Louis, Charleston, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City  . . . even New York City, all have varying degrees of seismic risks.  

 

Seismic Hazard Map – Credit USGS

But the West Coast, probably more than any other region of the United States, is viewed as being at particular risk.

 

In 2010 (see Revised Risk Of `The Big One’ Along San Andreas Fault) we looked at a study that suggested that Southern California may be more overdue for another major quake than previously thought, and in the following year (see Estimating The Economic Impact Of A San Andreas Quake) we looked at a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that endeavored to gauge the crippling impact that a highly feasible (and long overdue) 7.8 magnitude Southern California earthquake would have on jobs and local businesses.

Download PDF file

A quake of this magnitude, they estimate, could affect  430,000 businesses and 4.5 million workers and deliver a devastating – and prolonged – blow to the local (and national) economy.

 

For a comprehensive guide on how you can prepare for `the big one’ (even if you live someplace other than Los Angeles), I would recommend you download, read, and implement the advice provided by the The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide.

 

Large earthquakes can also generate massive tsunamis, which can travel thousands of miles in a matter of a few hours.  We’ve looked at the United State’s tsunami risks recently, in NPM13: The USGS West Coast Tsunami Scenario Report & East Coast Tsunami Threats.

 

It isn’t enough to have a kit, and a plan during an earthquake. You need to know what to do to protect life and limb while the shaking is going on.  And for that, we have the ever-growing Great Shakeout Drill (see  NPM13: A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Going On).

 

 

Later this week (Thurs, Oct 17 at 10:17am) , California, along with many other states, territories, and countries will hold their annual Great Shakeout Drill.  Millions of residents, from the United States and Canada, to New Zealand, Italy, and Japan, will take part in this yearly Drop, Cover, & Hold On drill. A video, demonstrating the technique is available on the California Shakeout Youtube Channel.

 

For more information on emergency preparedness, I would invite you  to visit:

 

FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm

READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/

AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/

 

And for some earlier blogs on the seismic hazards in the United States, and around the world, you may wish to revisit:

Just A Matter Of Time

Academics Debate Odds Of Tokyo Earthquake

UN Agency Warns On Global Seismic Risks

 

NPM13: A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Going On

Note: This is day 14 of National Preparedness Month.  Follow this year’s campaign on Twitter by searching for the #NPM or #NPM13 hash tag.

This month, as part of NPM13, I’ll be rerunning some updated  preparedness essays (like this one) , along with some new ones.

# 7773

 

The Great California Shakeout drill, which began in 2008, has now generated more than 20 spinoffs around the world, and most of those drills are scheduled for the month of October.

(click image to visit Shakeout.org)

 

Millions of residents, from the United States and Canada, to New Zealand, Italy, and Japan, will take part in this yearly Drop, Cover, & Hold On drill. A video, demonstrating the technique is available on the California Shakeout Youtube Channel.

 

If you live in any of these regions, I would encourage you to participate in, and support, these annual disaster drills.

 

As you can see by the map below, much of United States is seismically active – with Alaska, Hawaii, the west coast, and the Midwest seeing the most – and strongest, quakes.

USGS map

In 2011, in Estimating The Economic Impact Of A San Andreas Quake, we looked at a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that endeavored to gauge the crippling impact that a highly feasible (and long overdue) 7.8 magnitude Southern California earthquake would have on jobs and local businesses.

Download PDF file

A quake of this magnitude, they estimate, could affect  430,000 businesses and 4.5 million workers and deliver a devastating – and prolonged – blow to the local economy.

While huge death tolls are considered unlikely in this scenario, the untimely demise of thousands of unprepared businesses is all but assured.

 

One of the most vulnerable areas to earthquakes (and tsunamis) in North America is the Pacific Northwest, where just over 311 years ago an earthquake and tsunami – likely on par with this year’s disastrous quake in Japan - struck the coastline.

You’ll find a greater description of this event, along with videos and simulations showing what a similar event today would produce, in my essay Just A Matter Of Time.

 

Since we can’t prevent earthquakes, or predict them, the only recourse is to prepare for them . . .  as individuals, businesses, and communities.

 

For a comprehensive guide on how you can prepare for `the big one’ (even if you live someplace other than Los Angeles), I would recommend you download, read, and implement the advice provided by the The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide.

 

And even those who do not live in an earthquake zone can be affected when a large earthquake, or volcanic eruption, occurs . . . even if it is thousands of miles away.

 

Large earthquakes can generate massive tsunamis, which can travel thousands of miles in a matter of a few hours.  We’ve looked at the United State’s tsunami risks recently, in NPM13: The USGS West Coast Tsunami Scenario Report & East Coast Tsunami Threats.

 

Volcanic eruptions can affect large areas of the globe as well.

 

• When Mount Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines in 1991, within a year its aerosol cloud had dispersed around the globe, resulting in `an overall cooling of perhaps as large as -0.4°C over large parts of the Earth in 1992-93’ (see USGS The Atmospheric Impact of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo Eruption).
• And In 1783 the Craters of Laki in Iceland erupted and over the next 8 months spewed clouds of clouds of deadly hydrofluoric acid & Sulphur Dioxide, killing over half of Iceland’s livestock and roughly 25% of their human population. These noxious clouds drifted over Europe, and resulted in widespread crop failures and thousands of deaths from direct exposure to these fumes.  A repeat of this scenario is still considered a serious threat (see UK: Civil Threat Risk Assessment)

 

Which is why everyone should have a disaster plan, not just those who live in an earthquake or hurricane prone area.

 

For more on  disaster preparedness, I would invite you to visit:

 

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide

An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness

The Great Central U.S. Shakeout: 2013

Credit Shakeout.org 

 

# 6903

 

Five days from now, on Thursday February 7th, at 10:15am, millions of people across the central United States will take part in their third annual Great Central U.S. Shakeout  earthquake drill.

 

This exercise will be conducted in the style of The Great California Shakeout which has been been running successfully for a number of years, and has spawned more than a dozen other regional shakeout exercises around the world.

 

Registration is simple, participation is easy, and the drill only takes a few minutes. You can join in with more than 2.4 million others in the central U.S. at the link below.

 

Central U.S. ShakeOut Registration or Renewal

By registering for the ShakeOut, you or your organization will:

• Be counted in the largest-ever earthquake drill in Central U.S.!
• Be listed with other participants in your area (Optional)
• Be an example that motivates others to participate & prepare
• Be updated with ShakeOut news and preparedness tips
• Have peace of mind that you, your family, your co-workers and millions of others will be better prepared to survive and recover quickly from our next big earthquake!

 

In addition to registration, the Shakeout.org site provides Drill Manuals, Multimedia, Flyers, and many other resources to help get you, your family, or business earthquake prepared.

 

The USGS map below shows that most of the United State’s population lives in a seismically active region. While California has the reputation for being earthquake prone, the Midwest and the Eastern Seaboard are not immune.

 

While large earthquakes are rare in center of the country, they do happen. The map below comes from the USGS document Earthquake Hazard in the New Madrid Seismic Zone Remains a Concern.

 

There are historical accounts of major earthquakes
in the New Madrid region during 1811–12. The geologic record of pre-1811 earthquakes also reveals that the New Madrid seismic zone has repeatedly produced sequences of major earthquakes, including several of magnitude 7 to 8, over the past 4,500 years. These prehistoric earthquakes caused severe and widespread ground failures in the New Madrid region, much like those caused by the 1811–12 earthquake sequence. – USGS.

 

Given the risks, the United States government devoted their National Level Exercise (NLE 2011) two years ago to a simulated catastrophic earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ).

 

We live on a violent planet, one that is prone to storms, fires, floods, drought, volcanoes, earthquakes and myriad other natural disasters.  

 

Emergencies happen every day.  Disasters, admittedly, less often.

 

But in either event, preparedness is key.

 

At a bare minimum, every household should have a disaster plan, a good first aid kit (and the knowledge to use it), an emergency battery operated NWS  weather radio, and emergency supplies to last a minimum of 72 hours during a disaster.

 

To become better prepared as an individual, family, business owner, or community, I would invite you to visit the following preparedness sites.

 

FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm

READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/

AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/

 

For more on increasing your level of preparedness, a partial list of some of my preparedness blogs include:

 

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

In An Emergency, Who Has Your Back?

An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness

The Gift of Preparedness 2012

 

 

And for a look at some of the other Shakeout Drills around the globe, you may wish to visit:

 

NPM12: A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Going On

The 2012 Great SouthEast ShakeOut

The Great Utah ShakeOut

A West Coast Shake Up Call

Los Angeles Seismograph 7:10 AM EST – Credit ABC TV7

 

# 6780

 

Residents in Southern California and the Baja Peninsula were on the receiving end of a significant seismic shock overnight, as a 6.3 temblor struck 160 miles off the coast at 2:36 am (local time).

 

No tsunami was generated, and no warnings went out from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Light to moderate shaking (Max CDI=V) was reported in San Diego and Ensenada according to the USGS.

 

There were originally reports of a second 6.1 shock, but that may have been a false reading as it no longer appears on the USGS earthquake feed.

The epicenters of these quakes were well off shore, and not along the famous San Andreas Fault which runs through much of California.

 

The USGS posted this Tectonic Summary.

 

The December 14, 2012 M 6.3 earthquake 250 km southwest of Avalon, California occurred as a result of shallow normal faulting within the oceanic lithosphere of the Pacific plate. This event is located some 400-450 km west-southwest of the plate boundary between the Pacific and North America plates – the San Andreas fault system in southern California – and is not associated with that fault system.

Instead, this earthquake represents intraplate faulting along northeast-southwest trending normal faults within the crust of the Pacific plate, just to the west of California’s continental shelf. The causative fault is not known at this time. At the location of this event, the Pacific plate moves to the northwest with respect to the North America plate at a velocity of approximately 54 mm/yr.

While the broad region surrounding the December 14, 2012 event experiences frequent earthquakes along the San Andreas and associated faults in southern California, the area offshore and within 250 km of this earthquake has not hosted any events greater than M 6 over the past 40 years. The largest nearby earthquake was a M 5.1 event 200 km to the northeast in June of 2004, 80 km west of the border between the US and Baja California. A M 3.3 earthquake struck approximately 35 km to the northeast in April 1981, representing the closest event in the USGS earthquake catalog.

 

While this morning’s wake up calls are unlikely to have caused any significant damage, they are a reminder that much of California (along with much of the world) is seismically active.

 

In 2010 (see Revised Risk Of `The Big One’ Along San Andreas Fault) scientists using better tools and techniques, determined that big earthquakes occur far more frequently along the San Andreas fault than was previously believed.

 

Major quakes have occurred – on average – every 88 years along the southern section of this fault line, or three times more frequently than prior estimates.

 

Which makes southern California long overdue for `the big one’.

 

Shakeout.org, which promotes yearly earthquake drills and education around the country, has been a leader in earthquake preparedness in California. 

 

And the county of Los Angeles – recognizing the many natural disaster threats that face their residents – has produced an excellent L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide.

Well worth downloading, and using, no matter where you live.

 

To become better prepared as an individual, family, business owner, or community to deal with these types of disasters, I would invite you visit the following preparedness sites.

 

FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm

READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/

AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/

And finally, some of my own preparedness articles include:

 

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

In An Emergency, Who Has Your Back?

An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness

The Gift of Preparedness 2012

Reminder: ShakeOut Drills On Oct. 18th

 

# 6632

 

 

On Wednesday of this week more than a million residents of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia have pledged to take part in the inaugural launch of their The Great Southeast Shakeout.

 

They join a growing list of other states and regions who conduct this yearly earthquake drill, which instructs people how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On during a quake.

 

A video, demonstrating the technique is available on the California Shakeout Youtube Channel.

 

This year, there are 14 Shakeouts scheduled across the United States and around the world, with the bulk of them set for  10:18 a.m. on October 18th.

 

For details on when the Shakeout Drill is being held in your area - and how you or your organization can participate - click the map below:

If you live in any of these regions, I would encourage you to participate in, and support, these annual disaster drills.

 

As the map below indicates, much of United States is seismically active – with Alaska, Hawaii, the west coast, and the Midwest seeing the most – and strongest, quakes.

 

USGS map

 

Last year, in Estimating The Economic Impact Of A San Andreas Quake, we looked at a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that endeavored to gauge the crippling impact that a highly feasible (and long overdue) 7.8 magnitude Southern California earthquake would have on jobs and local businesses.

 

Download PDF file

A quake of this magnitude, they estimate, could affect  430,000 businesses and 4.5 million workers and deliver a devastating – and prolonged – blow to the local economy.

 

While huge death tolls are considered unlikely in this scenario, the untimely demise of thousands of unprepared businesses is all but assured.

 

One of the most vulnerable areas to earthquakes (and tsunamis) in North America is the Pacific Northwest, where just over 311 years ago an earthquake and tsunami – likely on par with this year’s disastrous quake in Japan - struck the coastline.

 

 

You’ll find a greater description of this event, along with videos and simulations showing what a similar event today would produce, in my essay Just A Matter Of Time.

 

Since we can’t prevent earthquakes, or predict them, the only recourse is to prepare for them . . .  as individuals, businesses, and communities.

For a comprehensive guide on how you can prepare for `the big one’ (even if you live someplace other than Los Angeles), I would recommend you download, read, and implement the advice provided by the The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide.

 

Everyone should have a disaster plan.  Everyone should have a good first aid kit, a `bug-out bag’, and sufficient emergency supplies to last a bare minimum of 72 hours.

 

For more on  disaster preparedness, I would invite you to visit:

 

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide

An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness

NPM12: A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Going On

Note: This is day 11 of National Preparedness Month.  Follow this year’s campaign on Twitter by searching for the #NPM or #NPM12 hash tag.

 

This month, as part of NPM12, I’ll be rerunning some updated  preparedness essays (like this one) , along with some new ones.

 

# 6548

 

The Great California Shakeout drill, which began in 2008, has now generated 15 spinoffs around the world, and most of those drills are scheduled for the month of October.

 

 

(click image to visit Shakeout.org)

Millions of residents, from the United States and Canada, to New Zealand, Italy, and Japan, will take part in this yearly Drop, Cover, & Hold On drill. A video, demonstrating the technique is available on the California Shakeout Youtube Channel.

 

 

If you live in any of these regions, I would encourage you to participate in, and support, these annual disaster drills.

 

As you can see by the map below, much of United States is seismically active – with Alaska, Hawaii, the west coast, and the Midwest seeing the most – and strongest, quakes.

USGS map

Last year, in Estimating The Economic Impact Of A San Andreas Quake, we looked at a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that endeavored to gauge the crippling impact that a highly feasible (and long overdue) 7.8 magnitude Southern California earthquake would have on jobs and local businesses.

 

Download PDF file

A quake of this magnitude, they estimate, could affect  430,000 businesses and 4.5 million workers and deliver a devastating – and prolonged – blow to the local economy.

 

While huge death tolls are considered unlikely in this scenario, the untimely demise of thousands of unprepared businesses is all but assured.

 

One of the most vulnerable areas to earthquakes (and tsunamis) in North America is the Pacific Northwest, where just over 311 years ago an earthquake and tsunami – likely on par with this year’s disastrous quake in Japan - struck the coastline.

 

You’ll find a greater description of this event, along with videos and simulations showing what a similar event today would produce, in my essay Just A Matter Of Time.

 

Since we can’t prevent earthquakes, or predict them, the only recourse is to prepare for them . . .  as individuals, businesses, and communities.

For a comprehensive guide on how you can prepare for `the big one’ (even if you live someplace other than Los Angeles), I would recommend you download, read, and implement the advice provided by the The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide.

 

 

Everyone should have a disaster plan.  Everyone should have a good first aid kit, a `bug-out bag’, and sufficient emergency supplies to last a bare minimum of 72 hours.

 

For more on  disaster preparedness, I would invite you to visit:

 

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide

An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness

The 2012 Great SouthEast ShakeOut

 

 

 

# 6490

While it may come as a bit of a surprise to many southerners, parts of the Southeastern United States have a history of strong and damaging earthquakes.

 

Just last year, sections of Virginia and Washington, D.C. were rattled by a `surprise’  5.8 earthquake centered in Mineral, Virginia (see USGS Statement On The Virginia Earthquake).

 

But by far, the most destructive `Dixie quake’ was the (Est. 7.3-7.6 magnitude) earthquake that struck and devastated much of Charleston, South Carolina in 1886. Shaking was felt as far north as Boston, south to Cuba, and west as far as New Orleans.

 

An earthquake of that size today, in the same area, it is estimated would produce:

• 45,000 injuries
•    9,000 hospitalizations
•      900  fatalities
• 200,000 displaced or homeless persons
• 20 billion dollars in Damage

 

While far less powerful, 26 years later another quake struck the Palmetto state in Union County.

 

And in recent years, geologists in South Caroloina have found evidence of at least 5 large earthquakes over the past 5,000 years (Amick and Gelinas, 1991). Concerns run high enough over seeing a repeat performance that the state has produced their own 5-page Earthquake guide.

 

 

Below you’ll find an earthquake hazard map from FEMA’s website covering the central and eastern United States. The colors in the map reflect “seismic design categories” (SDCs), which anticipates the likely intensity of seismic shaking in a region.

 

As you can see, the New Madrid region in Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas is considered at highest risk, but the coastal region of South Carolina, and areas of North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia are at seismic risk as well.

 

Starting in California, in 2008, the Great California Shakeout drill was designed to involve as many citizens as possible in a yearly earthquake drill. 

 

Over the next few years, Oregon, British Columbia, Nevada, Utah, Guam, and the Central States joined in with their own Shakeout Drills:

 

The Great Utah ShakeOut

The Great Central U.S. Shakeout:2012

A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Goin' On

 

This year, there are 14 Shakeouts scheduled across the United States, and around the world.

 

One of the newest is for the Southeastern United States, where residents of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia are invited to take part.

 

Already nearly 200,000 people have signed up.  If you live in any of these Shakeout areas, I would urge you to take part.  

 

From the Great SouthEast Shakeout Page:

 

You are invited to join thousands of people who will Drop, Cover, and Hold On on October 18th at 10:18 a.m.* in the 2012 Great SouthEast ShakeOut!

More than 12.5 million people were registered to participate in ShakeOut drills worldwide in 2011. Participating is a great way for your family or organization to become better prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes.

 

Start here to be included in the 2012 ShakeOut!

 

 

To hear the 60 second drill, which will be simulcast over radio stations, and played in classrooms and offices on October 18th at 10:18am, click this link:

English Narration and Sound Effects (57 seconds, 1.3 MB MP3)

 

You’ll find a wealth of earthquake preparedness and safety information on the Shakeout.org site. 

For more on earthquake, and `All Threats’ preparedness, I would invite you visit the following preparedness sites.

 

FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm

READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/

AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/

 

And for my blog on general earthquake preparedness, see NPM11: Are You Earthquake Prepared?

LA: A Not So Gentle Reminder

ABC LA Quake Cam 13:20 EST  8/8/12

# 6480

 

On the heels of yesterday’s 4.4 magnitude temblor centered in Yorba Linda, California we’ve two more moderately-sized jolts this morning in roughly the same area, coming in first - at 4.5 magnitude – quickly followed by another at 3.4 magnitude.

There no reports as yet of damage or injuries, and at these magnitudes, little is expected.  But these temblors serve as a not-so-gentle reminder that Los Angeles is at risk of much stronger quakes.

 

 

With National Preparedness Month less than 3 weeks away, this seems an opportune time to remind folks that seismic risks extend far beyond California. While large earthquakes in the eastern half of the country are comparatively rare, they do happen.

 

As you can see by the map below, most of the United States is seismically active – with Alaska, Hawaii, the west coast, and the Midwest seeing the most – and strongest, quakes.

USGS map

 

Last year, in Estimating The Economic Impact Of A San Andreas Quake, we looked at a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that endeavored to gauge the crippling impact that a highly feasible (and long overdue) 7.8 magnitude Southern California earthquake would have on jobs and local businesses.

 

Download PDF file

A quake of this magnitude, they estimate, could affect  430,000 businesses and 4.5 million workers and deliver a devastating – and prolonged – blow to the local economy.

 

While huge death tolls are considered unlikely in this scenario, the untimely demise of thousands of unprepared businesses is all but assured.

 

This latest seismic activity makes this a pretty good time to remind my readers about the study from 2010 (see Revised Risk Of `The Big One’ Along San Andreas Fault) that suggests that Southern California may be more overdue for another major quake than previously thought.

 

Since we can’t prevent earthquakes, or predict them, the only recourse is to prepare for them . . .  as individuals, businesses, and communities.

 

 

For a comprehensive guide on how you can prepare for `the big one’ (even if you live someplace other than Los Angeles), I would recommend you download, read, and implement the advice provided by the The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide.

 

The Great California Shakeout website invites you to participate once again in this year’s state-wide earthquake drill on October 18th at 10:18 a.m. For regions outside of California, you can check here for Shakeout Drills in your area.

 

And lastly, to become better prepared as an individual, family, business owner, or community to deal with these types of disasters: I would invite you visit the following preparedness sites.

 

FEMA http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm

READY.GOV http://www.ready.gov/

AMERICAN RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org/

The Great Utah ShakeOut

 

# 6287

 

 

Later today (April 17th), Utah will stage their very first ever Great Utah Shakeout drill, where nearly 1 million Utahns will practice the `Drop, Cover and Hold On’ technique across the state.

 

This drill is based on the very successful Great California ShakeOut, which has spawned other drills in the Pacific Northwest and Midwest (see A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Goin' On).

 

The USGS map below shows that most of the United State’s population lives in a seismically active region.

While California has the biggest reputation for earthquakes, the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Eastern Seaboard, and a number of western states (including Utah) are not immune.

 

BeReadyUtah.gov has produced a 5 minute video showing what the aftermath of a strong quake in Utah would be like.

 

If you are living in Utah, plan to take part in today’s drill.  Knowing what to do during an earthquake can literally save your life.

 

Earthquakes, like Hurricanes, Tornados, Floods, and yes . . . even pandemics . . .  are hazards everyone should be aware of, and prepared to deal with.

 

Everyone needs an appropriate disaster plan, just as everyone should have a good first aid kit, a `bug-out bag’, and sufficient emergency supplies to last a bare minimum of 72 hours.

 

For more on  disaster preparedness, I would invite you to visit Ready.gov or revisit these blogs:

 

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide

An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness