Monitoring earthquake shaking in federal buildings; 2005; FS; 2005-3052; Celebi, Mehmet; Page, Robert A. First of all, a person should check if he/she has suffered any injury. What are the Great ShakeOut earthquake drills? Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure. All content is �2007 Michigan Technological University. GET OUT of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). United States Geological Survey (USGS) Natural Hazards Response; 2012; FS; 2012-3061; Lamb, Rynn; Jones, Brenda K. Understanding risk and resilience to natural hazards; 2011; FS; 2011-3008; Wood, Nathan. If the building appears unsafe get everyone out. If you smell it, open all the windows and doors, leave immediately, and report it to the authorities (use someone else's phone). According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 2004 was the deadliest year for earthquakes since the Renaissance Age, making it the second most fatal in recorded history, with more than 275,950 deaths reported from the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the Indian Ocean on Dec. 26. After an Earthquake AFTER the next big earthquake, your recovery and that of the community may take weeks to months or even longer. What to do after an earthquake. Since an earthquake can happen at any moment, often with little warning, theyâre one of the most frightening natural disasters. GET OUT of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). Check yourself for injuries and get first aid if necessary. What Should I Do Before, During, And After An Earthquake? Most probably elevators may get stuck in between after a significant earthquake. This means you need to: Board up broken windows or doors to clean up after an earthquake; Cover holes in walls and roofs with tarpaulins if it is safe for you to do so; Turn off leaking water and gas mains Don't use the phone unless it's an emergency. Practice Drop, Cover and Hold. DON'T run downstairs or rush outside while... DO NOT turn on the gas again if you turned it off; let the gas company do it DO NOT use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, appliances UNTIL you are sure there are no gas leaks. or move into a hallway or against an inside wall. If you're outdoors, stay in the open away from power lines or anything that might fall. Stay in place (as long as it is safe to do so). Make up a plan of where to meet your family after an earthquake. If severe shaking lasts 20 seconds or more, immediately evacuate to high ground as a tsunami might have been generated by the earthquake. According to experts, aftershocks can continue for weeks, months, or even years. Stay away from beaches. If you're in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops. There are four basic steps you can take to be more prepared for an earthquake: Step 1: Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items. Don't use elevators (they'll probably get stuck anyway). Do not use the elevator. What to do after an earthquake. If you live or work in the region, you need to know why you should be concerned with earthquakes, what you can expect during and after a quake, and what... Do you know what to do the moment the ground starts shaking? Generally, an earthquake is divided into three stages: before, during, and after. What to do after an earthquake? Conduct a safety check â Once you are in a safe place, check yourself and others for injuries, and call for help if needed. Get a quick, personalized insurance quote today. Boston was heavily damaged. Why should people in the eastern United States be concerned about earthquakes? Broken gas lines and fire don't mix. After an earthquake you may experience aftershocks, which can occur minutes, hours, or even days after the earthquake. Place telephone receivers back in their cradles; only make calls if requiring emergency services. Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity. Help others if you are able. The involvement of citizens is key, as decisions made before and immediately after an earthquake can save lives and protect property. Look after yourself and get first aid if necessary. Water pipes and gas and electrical lines are all susceptible to damage during an earthquake. Be prepared for aftershocks. Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage. Photograph credit: Thomas Holzer, USGS. The Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) advises to extinguish small fires (if you can do so safely) and report larger ones to emergency services right away. If you are near the shore, drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops. Walk out carefully watching for anything that could fall during the aftershocks. Based on observations of an earthquake in Turkey, the idea doesn't apply to buildings constructed within the United States. Some of the things that must be considered after an earthquake can be listed as follows: 1. Putting down roots in earthquake country : your handbook for the San Francisco Bay region; 2005; GIP; 15; Geological Survey (U.S.), The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program - investing in a safer future; 2003; FS; 017-03; Filson, John R.; McCarthy, Jill; Ellsworth, William L.; Zoback, Mary Lou; Stauffer, Peter H.; Hendley, James W., II, Progress toward a safer future since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake; 1999; FS; 151-99; Page, Robert A.; Stauffer, Peter H.; Hendley, James W., II, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Mapping, Remote Sensing, and Geospatial Data. Move a few steps to a nearby safe place if need be. Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you). If you are INDOORS -- STAY THERE! The contents of your home may be damaged and can be dangerous: Shaking can make light fixtures fall, refrigerators and other large items move across the floor, and bookcases and television sets topple over. What can I do to be prepared for an earthquake? 1.2, December 2018): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5013–A–H, 126 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175013v1. At least 709 deaths resulted from earthquake activity worldwide in 2007, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and confirmed by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Typically, the larger the mainshock, the larger and more numerous the aftershocks and the longer they will continue. Know what to do in each stage. If you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. After an earthquake, there can be serious hazards such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines. Follow their instructions. Assemble and maintain your emergency survival Items for your home and workplace, as well as a portable getaway kit. Gas leaks--shut off main gas valve ONLY if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor. Composite photo of 1906 damaged buildings and modern family in foreground, Example of a home emergency first aid kit. The 2014 Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities calculated that there is a 33-percent likelihood of a large (magnitude 6.7 or... With innovations, fresh data, and lessons learned from recent earthquakes, scientists have developed a new earthquake forecast model for California, a region under constant threat from potentially damaging events. If You Are In Your Car Or Driving and an Earthquake Strikes Follow the advice from our ShakeOut friends: Pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire DO NOT use your telephone, EXCEPT for a medical or... Detweiler, S.T., and Wein, A.M., eds., 2017, The HayWired earthquake scenario—Earthquake hazards (ver. Check for the smell of gas. This is the initial publication of the results of a cooperative project to examine the implications of a major earthquake in southern California. An earthquake is not like a fire. The U.S. Geological Survey and its partners are designing innovative tools to better detect earthquakes and share critical information. It is frightening to stay in a building immediately after an earthquake but it is much safer than immediately going outside. Hundreds of Southern California municipalities will be affected; most lack recovery plans or previous disaster experience. With a press run of more than three million copies, "The Next Big Earthquake In The Bay Area May Come Sooner Than You Think-- Are You Prepared?" First responders may be injured themselves and/or their equipment may be damaged. Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. Do not move around or kick up dust. or move into a hallway or against an inside wall. After a major earthquake, you should remember that emergency services like fire, police, and medical personnel may be unavailable for extended periods of time. Check for injuries that you or others have obtained from the earthquake. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home. Photograph credit: Erol Kalkan, USGS, Pavement buckling and tented sidewalk resulting from the South Napa Earthquake. Get under a desk or table and hang on to it ( Drop, Cover, and Hold on! ) After an Earthquake Once the shaking has stopped, leave the building or house you are in and retreat to an open space away from damaged areas. If you're indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). Check yourself and others for injuries. Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, Congressional Briefing -- Citizen Science and Earthquakes: Reducing the Risk Through the Power of People, 2004 Deadliest in Nearly 500 Years for Earthquakes, "The Next Big Earthquake" — Still Helpful and Still Available; From USGS, Damage in central Oklahoma from a magnitude 5.6 earthquake in 2011, 1906 San Francisco Earthquake - Damage with Family in Foreground, to avoid injury from broken glass and debris. This handbook provides information to residents of the Central United States about the threat of earthquakes in that area, particularly along the New Madrid seismic zone, and explains how to prepare for, survive, and recover from such events. The "Triangle of Life" is a misguided idea about the best location a person should try to occupy during an earthquake. Learn the earthquake plan at your school or workplace. STAY CLEAR of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. Develop a Household Emergency Plan. Fire hazards--put out fires in your home or neighborhood immediately, call for help. Prepare for a major earthquake today by preparing your earthquake safety kit. Wash your hands with soap and water after holding on to commonly touched surfaces or objects. Stay away from buildings (stuff might fall off the building or the building could fall on you). Not only will learning what to do after an earthquake keep you safe in the event of an emergency, but knowing that youâre mentally prepared for anything might also give you a ⦠Assess your home or workplace for damage. To accomplish this goal, products and services provided by the National Geospatial Program (NGP)... Natural hazards threaten the safety and economic wellbeing of communities. Drop, Cover, and Hold On! During an earthquake. Do not leave until the shaking is over. Citizens should plan and practice what to do in the event of an earthquake in order to properly respond before, during, and after the shaking begins. Be careful around broken glass and debris. Get under a desk or table and hang on to it (Drop, Cover, and Hold on!) It explains the need for concern about earthquakes for those residents and describes what one can expect... Recovery from an earthquake like the M7.8 ShakeOut Scenario will be a major endeavor taking many years to complete. Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the walls or floor. These are some of the things you need to know and to do before, during and after an earthquake. What if you knew that a magnitude 7.8 earthquake would happen in less than three weeks? Never use an elevator after an earthquake. What should I NOT do during an earthquake? PAGER - Rapid Assessment of an Earthquake's Impact; 2007; FS; 2007-3101; Responding to Global Earthquake Hazards; Earle, Paul S.; Wald, David J. The study comprised eight counties: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura. Gather information and ⦠Check for fire and, if any, have it controlled. These hazards include sudden-onset hazards, such as earthquakes, and slowly emerging, chronic hazards, such as those associated with climate change. Expect aftershocks, If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, use clean gauze or cloth if available, If a person is not breathing administer CPR, DO NOT attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury, COVER injured persons with blankets to keep warm, Fire hazards--put out fires in your home or neighborhood immediately, call for help, Gas leaks--shut off main gas valve ONLY if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor, Damaged electrical wiring--Shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to house wiring, Downed or damaged utility lines--do not touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them, SPILLS--clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other harmful materials such as bleach, lye, gas, DOWNED OR DAMAGED CHIMNEYS--Approach with caution--don't use damaged chimney (it could start a fire or let poisonous gases into your house), FALLEN ITEMS--beware of items tumbling off shelves when you open doors of closets and cupboards, CHECK FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES--Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass, If power is off, plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly or frozen foods (food in the freezer should be good for at least a couple of days), Don't light your kitchen stove if you suspect a gas leak, USE BBQ or camp stoves, outdoors only for emergency cooking, If your water is off you can drink supplies from water heaters, melted ice cubes or canned vegetables (AVOID drinking water from swimming pools or especially spas--it may have too many chemicals in it to be safe). Following the first tremor, keep these safety tips in mind: Be prepared for aftershocks. After the shaking subsides, assess your wellbeing and that of those around you. Slowly descend the stairs of the building and exit outside. Stay alert for aftershocks. The Earthquake Commission or EQC requires homeowners to take all the necessary steps they can to prevent further damage to an insured property. Prepare yourself ⦠Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Damaged electrical wiring--Shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to house wiring. If any are damaged, shut off the valves. 1) Severe earthquakes have occurred in the eastern U.S.: In November of 1755, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.0 and a maximum intensity of VIII occurred about 50 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. Earthquakes can occur in Indiana at any time. How do I identify it? Shout only as a last resort. STAY CLEAR of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. Here is what happens after an earthquake: Expect, and be prepared for, aftershocks. If youâre in a stadium or theater, exit the building calmly, watching out for any debris that could fall on you. They may come within minutes, hours, or days later, and can ⦠Gas leaks often cause fires to break out after an earthquake. Earthquakes In The Midwestern And Eastern United States?! is the most widely distributed publication ever prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. If you're at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions of the person in charge. Do not run outside. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Stay alert to new or continuing hazards. Putting down roots in earthquake country-Your handbook for earthquakes in the Central United States; 2011; GIP; 119; Contributors: Dart, Richard; McCarthy, Jill; McCallister, Natasha; Williams, Robert A. Recovering from the ShakeOut earthquake; 2011; Article; Journal; Earthquake Spectra; Wein, Anne; Johnson, Laurie; Bernknopf, Richard, The ShakeOut Scenario; 2008; OFR; 2008-1150; Jones, Lucile M.; Bernknopf, Richard; Cox, Dale; Goltz, James; Hudnut, Kenneth; Mileti, Dennis; Perry, Suzanne; Ponti, Daniel; Porter, Keith; Reichle, Michael; Seligson, Hope; Shoaf, Kimberley; Treiman, Jerry; Wein, Anne. After an earthquake. Stay there until the shaking stops. Emergency messages will be transmitted to your cell phone. Stay calm. While earthquakes can be a traumatic experience, itâs important not to let important things slip that will help you, your family, and your community get back on your feet. Wherever you are when an earthquake starts, take cover immediately. If there is a rush on the staircase, then be calm, because hastily may lead to an accident. Just because the earthquake is over, that doesn't mean you're in the clear. House damage in central Oklahoma from the magnitude 5.6 earthquake on Nov. 6, 2011. Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On during aftershocks. After an earthquake. Keep an eye out for broken water pipes, downed and live electrical lines and leaking gas lines. Getting ready before an earthquake strikes will help reduce damage to your home and business and help you survive. Los Angeles will have the nation's toughest earthquake safety rules, ESC Seminar: HayWired Scenario Progress Discussion. Before an earthquake occurs: Prepare for three to seven days of electricity, water, gas, and telephone outages.