Earthquake Emergency - Are You Prepared

The question often asked is "Are we overdue for an earthquake"?

After viewing the media coverage of the unprecedented wind storm earlier this year which saw over 500,000 homes in Vancouver, B.C. without power for several days, perhaps it is time to put together an Emergency Kit or update and refresh the one you have. We have been free of major earthquake damage for hundreds of years and perhaps have become complacent. Here are three thoughts of what to put together if "the big one hits"

1. What to Do in an Earthquake

It's not just yourself but also those who depend on you, such as children, parents, pets and neighbours who need help.
There should be a clear understanding who takes care of whom in a disaster so there is no confusion and duplication which could waste valuable time.
Children in particular may be in shock and fearful.
Consider that after a high Richter scale earthquake there may be severe after quakes to deal with.

“Foreshock”, “mainshock”, and “aftershock” are relative terms, all of which describe earthquakes. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur in the same general area during the days to years following a larger event or “mainshock”. They mostly occur within 1-2 fault lengths of the mainshock. For the largest earthquakes, this is a long distance; it is thought that the 1906 San Francisco earthquake triggered events in southern California, western Nevada, southern central Oregon, and western Arizona, all within 2 days of the mainshock.

Expect public transport disruptions in a major earthquake

2. Wherever you may be - disaster can strike

You may be at work, while children are at school or daycare; driving in your vehicle; or on a family vacation. Be prepared.

A power outage at any time can last 2 to 3 days as we experienced last summer (2015). It is advisable to have enough food, water, and emergency supplies to be totally self-sufficient for 3 or more days. As one person interviewed after the storm commented she could not get any cash to buy food as the automatic bank machine was not working. During a power outage many facilities will not work such as skytrain, elevators and escalators. Earthquake damage and power outages will disrupt public transport and there will be traffic congestion on major traffic routes especially if major damage occurs.

Expect massive conjestion in bridges, tunnels & major highways — Expect massive congestion in bridges, on tunnels & major highways

3. Here's a short list - add to suit personal needs

Each family member should know what to do during and after a quake
Establish an easily accessible family meeting place
Know the nearest evacuation routes, and an alternative
Find a safe area in your home and at work to take cover during the earthquake staying away from items which may fall
If your home is not safe, know your closest overnight shelter; medical facility
Important: Pack and take your prescription and other medication i.e. Epipen, oxygen, puffer, daily medication
Have an emergency kit in your car and at home
If not in place, organize Earthquake Emergency procedures at your place of work

Mock headlines of catastrophic earthquake in Vancouver, B.C.

Shake Out - Drop Cover and Hold on

October 15, 2015 at 10:15 a.m. was the province wide and International Shake Out drill for an earthquake and drill with about ¾ million people participating province-wide. The next BC Shake Out drill will be held on the October 20, 2016.
A Knowledge network movie with the headline grabbing title of "Monster quake are we next?" was very sobering to watch and brings home the effects of a high magnitude earthquake in a city even if you are well prepared.

I hope this information, though limited, has been of some help in sorting out what to do in an extended disaster before it happens. Next earthquake, or weather disaster, be organized so that you are not one of the many who say "what do we do?" There are excellent resources for information; on how to assemble, or where to buy an earthquake emergency kit. Go over lists of options for any disaster with your children and family including seniors. Please take the time to put together at least the bare necessities of an Earthquake Emergency Kit. Best to plan and be ready for fire, flood or earthquake!

Footnote:

At 11:40 pm on December 29, 2015 an earthquake of 4.8 magnitude was recorded just north of Sidney B.C. with the effect felt throughout the Fraser Valley and in Washington, USA. The same day there was a quake in California (south) and in Alaska (north). The two major faults in this area are the Cascadia Fault along the Pacific Northwest coast, and the massive San Andreas Fault. October 2015 NASA report on LA quakes and risks.