Earthquake

Earthquake Alerts

Early Earthquake Warning System alerts are sent automatically by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) via Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), when an earthquake of M 5.0 or higher hits anywhere in California. 

Learn more about Shake Alerts and download the MyShake App to get push notifications for earthquakes M 4.5+.

Tsunami Alerts

The Tsunami Warning System is controlled by the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska. Alerts are sent automatically via Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), when an earthquake of M 7.1 occurs in a coastal area.

Humboldt Alert

Humboldt Alert is an emergency notification sent out only after the appropriate agencies have confirmed with the Humboldt Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services that there is a threat to public safety.

Significant Earthquake

After a significant earthquake, it’s best to always treat it as a potential tsunami warning. If you're on the beach or in a tsunami zone, head to higher ground by foot immediately - don’t wait for an alert!

Secure your space

Plan and Prepare

Create a Personal Emergency Preparedness Plan and plan how you would respond after an earthquake.

• Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications.
• Practice DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON. 
• Identify safe spots in every room, such as under sturdy desks and tables. 
• Learn how to protect yourself no matter where you are when an earthquake strikes.
• Get a fire extinguisher for your home and learn how to use it properly. 
• Teach everyone in your household to use emergency whistles and to knock three times repeatedly if trapped. 
• Identify family members or neighbors with special needs such as medications, special diets and wheelchairs. 
• Know the location of utility shut-offs and keep needed tools nearby. Only turn off the gas if you smell or hear leaking gas. Only the gas company should turn the gas back on. 
• Install smoke alarms and check them monthly. Change batteries once a year or whenever you hear a “chirping” sound. 
• Know the tsunami hazard zones in your community and how to get to safe areas and learn to recognize the natural warning signs of a tsunami.
• Select a safe place outside of your home to meet your family or housemates after the shaking stops. 
• Identify an out-of-the area contact person to call who can relay information to other friends and family. 
• Provide all family members with a current list of important contact telephone numbers. 
• Determine where you might stay if your home cannot be occupied after an earthquake or tsunami. 
• Ask about your children’s school or day care emergency response plans. Keep emergency release information current. 
• Talk to your insurance agent about your coverage for earthquake and tsunami losses. 
• Make copies of important documents such as identification, deeds, insurance policies and financial records in a secure, waterproof container. Include a household inventory of your belongings.
• Local agencies and partner organizations: Review the Earthquake and Tsunami Response Fact Sheet. The fact sheet is designed to provide information and guidance to help develop your own internal policies and procedures that protect personnel and will help maintain essential services during a local earthquake and tsunami response.

Organize Emergency Supplies

Everyone should have emergency supplies stored in accessible locations at home, at work, and in vehicles. Having emergency supplies readily available can reduce the impact of an earthquake or other emergency on you and your family.

You can choose what to put in each location:

• Under-Bed Bags hold shoes, a flashlight, and other items for when an earthquake happens while sleeping.
• Go-Bags or car kits contain supplies for about 3 days for when evacuation is needed.
• Home or work supplies are for sheltering in place for up to 2 weeks or for larger groups.

Learn more about preparing your emergency kits.

Minimize Financial Hardship

Help minimize your financial hardship by:

• Organizing Important Documents: Keep copies of documents for starting an insurance claim or applying for financial assistance in a go bag, along with ID, insurance policy, etc.
• Strengthening Your Property: Current building codes rarely require older buildings to be upgraded, but there are things that can be done. Visit Strengthen Your House to learn more.
• Considering Insurance Coverage: Homeowners and renters can protect themselves with earthquake insurance (a separate policy is required).

Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Federal, state, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.

In most situations, if you feel shaking or get an earthquake alert, immediately:

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and reduces your chances of being hit by falling or flying objects.

COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.

• If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter.
• If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall.
• Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.

HOLD ON until the 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.

Adapt to your situation. If you have difficulty getting onto the ground, or cannot get back up again without help, then follow these recommendations:

If you use a cane: DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON or sit on a chair, bed, etc. and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane near you so it can be used when the shaking stops.

If you use a walker or wheelchair: LOCK your wheels (if applicable). If using a walker carefully get as low as possible. Bend over and COVER your head/neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow. Then HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

If there is no nearby table or desk:

• Sit on the floor against an inside wall, away from windows, tall furniture or bookcases.
• Protect your head and neck with your arms.
• If you are elderly or have mobility impairment, remain where you are, bracing yourself in place.
• Avoid exterior walls, windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances, and cabinets with heavy objects or glass.

DO NOT GO OUTSIDE WHILE THE GROUND IS SHAKING!

Other Places to Consider

Possible locations you could be during an earthquake include:

In Bed
If you are in bed, stay there, hold on and protect your head with a pillow.

In a Multistory Building
Drop, cover, and hold on. Do not use elevators. Do not be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activate.

If you are Outside
Move to a clear area if you can safely do so; avoid power lines, trees, signs, buildings, vehicles and other hazards.

Driving
Pull over to the side of the road, stop and set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over. If power lines fall on your vehicle, stay inside until a trained person removes them.

In a Theater or Stadium
Stay at your seat. Duck down and protect your head and neck with your arms. If you can’t duck under the seat, at least put your head and upper body under the seat. Don’t try to leave until the shaking stops. Then exit slowly, watching for fallen debris or for anything that could fall on you in the aftershocks. Stay calm and encourage others to do likewise.

If you are in the Mountains
Avoid unstable slopes or cliffs and watch for falling rock and debris.

What NOT to do

DO NOT get in a doorway! An early earthquake photo is a collapsed adobe home with the door frame as the only standing part. From this came our belief that a doorway is the safest place to be during an earthquake. In modern houses and buildings, doorways are no safer, and they do not protect you from flying or falling objects. Get under a table instead!

DO NOT run outside! Trying to run in an earthquake is dangerous, as the ground is moving and you can easily fall or be injured by debris or glass. Running outside is especially dangerous, as glass, bricks, or other building components may be falling. You are much safer to stay inside and get under a table.

EVACUATE if you are in a TSUNAMI HAZARD ZONE

DO NOT wait for an official warning. For a large local earthquake, feeling ground shaking may be the only warning you will get that a tsunami is on its way. Use tsunami hazard maps and posted hazard zone signs to identify safe evacuation areas.

If you are at the Beach move to higher ground immediately–no matter how small the earthquake.

If you are in a tsunami hazard zone and the earthquake lasts a long time immediately gather your family members, grab your tsunami disaster kit, and WALK to a safe area.

If evacuation is impossible go to the upper floor of a sturdy building or climb a tree. This should only be a last resort.

If you are NOT in a tsunami hazard zone, stay where you are. You are not at risk of a tsunami. Unnecessary evacuation will put you at risk and hamper the evacuation of people who really need to get away from danger.

Once you are in a Safe Area

First, take care of your own situation—check yourself for injuries so you can help others. Remember your emergency plans. Aftershocks may cause additional damage, so get to a safe location and take your disaster supply kit with you. Once you are safe, help others and check for damage. Protect yourself by wearing sturdy shoes and work gloves, to avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Wear a dust mask and eye protection if you have them.

If you are trapped under debris, protect your mouth, nose and eyes from dust. If you are bleeding, put pressure on the wound and elevate the injured part. Signal for help with your emergency whistle, a cell phone, or tap on pipe or wall, three times every few minutes, so rescuers can locate you. Don’t shout—shouting will wear you out and can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Check for Injuries

• Use your first aid kit or the front pages of your telephone book for detailed instructions on first aid measures such as stopping bleeding, rescue breathing and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
• Do not move seriously-injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injuries.
• Cover injured persons with blankets or additional clothing to keep them warm.

Check for Damage

Fire
If possible, put out small fires in your home or neighborhood immediately. Call for help, but don’t wait for the fire department.

Gas Leaks
Shut off the main gas valve only if a leak is suspected or identified by the odor of natural gas. Wait for the utility company to turn it back on once the damage is repaired.

Damaged Electrical Wiring
Shut off power at the breaker box. Leave the power off until damage is repaired.

Unplug Broken Lights and Appliances
They could cause fires when power is restored. 

Downed Power Lines
If encountering a downed power line, call 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY to report its location and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.

Consider all downed power lines as potentially hazardous and stay well away from them. Never touch downed lines or any objects in contact with them even if you think they may be dead. 

Fallen Items
Beware of items tumbling off shelves when you open closet and cupboard doors. Wear gloves before handling broken items. Replace your telephone on its receiver. Telephones off the hook tie up the telephone network.

Spills
Clean up any spilled medicines, drugs or other nontoxic substances. Potentially harmful materials such as bleach, lye, paint, garden chemicals, and gasoline should be isolated or covered with an absorbent such as dirt or cat litter. When in doubt, leave your home.

Downed or Damaged Chimneys
Stay away from chimneys and walls made of brick. They may be weakened and could topple during an aftershock. Don’t use a fireplace until it is inspected by an expert – it could start a fire or let poisonous gasses into your home.

• The days after the earthquake, follow your emergency plan.
• Stay away from the coast until officials deem it safe to return. 
• Disaster sightseeing puts you in danger and hampers efforts of response personnel.

If Your Cannot Stay in Your Home

• Use your radio to find shelter locations.
• Bring your Go Bag with medications and personal information. Shelter space is limited. 
• Check to find out what you can bring, including pets.

If Your Home Isn’t Damaged

Sheltering in place is the safest thing to do even if the power is out.

• Stay There!
• Do not use matches, lighters, or candles indoors.
• Never use a camp stove, gas lantern or heater, gas or charcoal grill, or gas generator indoors.

Be in Communication and Stay Informed

• Let people know you are okay. Text your out-of-area contact to tell them where you are. Stay off your phone to keep the lines open for emergency communications.
• Use your portable or car radio to find a station that is on the air and providing updates and safety advisories.
• Check on your neighbors.

Food and Water

• If the power is off, use refrigerated and frozen foods first. Food in the freezer may last several days.
• Use your stored water for drinking. You can also drink from water heaters, melted ice cubes, or canned vegetables. Don't drink water from swimming pools or hot tubs.

Document Damage

• Use your phone or camera to photograph anything you suspect may have been damaged. 
• Contact your insurance agent right away to begin your claims process.

The First Week After the Earthquake

The earthquake and aftershocks take an emotional toll. Short tempers, memory lapses, and difficulty sleeping are common.

• If you aren’t sure if your home is safe, contact the city or county for an inspection.
• If you turned off gas, only your utility provider can turn it back on.
• Have a professional inspect your fireplace or wood burning stove before you use them. Damage is difficult to see and could cause a chimney fire or poisonous gas release.
• Locate and or replace critical documents that may have been misplaced, damaged, or destroyed.

Verify Information

Rumors are rampant in the aftermath of a disaster. Verify Information from reputable sources before passing it on.

If you smell gas, leave the area now and call 9-1-1

Possible signs of a gas leak are:

• Sulfur-like smell or rotten egg smell.
• Hissing, whistling or roaring sounds.
• Damaged connections to gas appliances.
• Dead or dying vegetation, in otherwise moist areas, over or near pipeline areas.
• Unusual soil movement or bubbling water.