California Is Shaking!

Earthquake Warning for Southern California

Monday morning a rapid succession of small earthquakes started under the Salton Sea. There were three measuring above magnitude 4.0 continuing for more than 24 hours. More than 200 earthquakes were recorded.

The swarm of earthquakes has increased the likelihood of a much more major quake in Southern California, at least temporarily.

“According to the U.S. Geological Survey, for the seven-day period following Tuesday, the chances of a magnitude-7 or greater earthquake being triggered on the southern San Andreas fault are as high as 1 in 100 and as low as 1 in 3,000. The chances diminish over time.

Experts said it’s important to understand that the chance of the swarm triggering a big one, while small, was real.”

So when the threat making headlines, what are our options for preparation?

If you live in California, most likely, you live within 30 miles of an active fault. And if you don’t have specific earthquake insurance then you don’t have coverage against earthquake damage. Here’s a website where you can calculate how much earthquake insurance will wet you back. http://www2.earthquakeauthority.com/Pages/CustomerCalc.aspx

Drop! Cover! and Hold On! That’s the official recommendation on how to protect yourself during an earthquake.

	DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.
	COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows) Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs
	HOLD ON until 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.

See EarthquakeCountry.org/disability for recommendations for people who use wheelchairs, walkers, or are unable to drop to the ground and get up again without assistance.

California Shakeout Day is October 20

Millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:20 a.m. on October 20* during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, which began in California in 2008.

Participating is a great way for your family or organization to be prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes– wherever you live, work, or travel. ShakeOut is also a major activity of America’s PrepareAthon!

Source: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/6147755-181/earthquake-warning-issued-for-southern
Source: http://www.earthquakecountry.org/prepare/

#californiashaking #dropcoverholdon #earthquake