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Great Shake Out Happening This Morning At 10:17 AM

Brock Keeling — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 09:20:17 GMT

A friendly reminder: a massive earthquake is poised to hit the Bay Area (again), one that will surely cause millions of dollars worth of damage and, most likely, kill dozens of people, if not more. Why not get prepared for that big day? Which is coming. Soon.

Today at 10:17 a.m.—the anniversary of Loma Prieta—the Great ShakeOut happens. What is that, you ask? It's an annual day in which millions of people worldwide practice how to "drop, cover, and hold," followed by earthquake preparedness tips and such. Businesses, schools, and people just like you take part in the annual earthquake readiness day,

ShakeOut.org has more (emphasis ours):

The main point is to not try to move but to immediately protect yourself as best as possible where you are. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl; you therefore will most likely be knocked to the ground where you happen to be. You will never know if the initial jolt will turn out to be start of the big one. You should Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately!
In addition, studies of injuries and deaths caused by earthquakes in the U.S. over the last several decades indicate that you are much more likely to be injured by falling or flying objects (TVs, lamps, glass, bookcases, etc.) than to die in a collapsed building. Drop, Cover, and Hold On offers the best overall level of protection in most situations.

Methods like standing in a doorway, running outside, or the "triangle of life" are considered very dangerous and not recommended. Read more here.

Also, if you haven't already, you should make a plan, build an earthquake survival kit, and learn how to get involved. 72Hours.org is a great resource.

Until then...

Make Your Own Preparedness Kit

Brock Keeling — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:32:51 GMT

Speaking of widespread earthquake devastation, Japan's 8.9 earthquake is a strong reminder that, yes, you really do need an earthquake kit. Seriously. After the Loma Prieta earthquake, an estimated 12,000 Bay Area residents found themselves "displaced permanently or temporarily." Homes that remained intact experienced no water, electricity and phone service for days. The Chronicle has a comprehensive list of things you need during a quake - i.e., water, food, first-aid kit, tools, supplies, sanitation, clothes, bedding, and documents - which you should look over immediately.

Indonesia Quakes Remind You To Get Prepared

Brock Keeling — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:38:12 GMT

This morning's 6.8 earthquake that followed yesterday's 7.6 shaker in Indonesia is the perfect opportunity to remind you to, please, get ready for the next big earthquake that will hit the Bay Area. No one knows when it will happen, but it will. Sooner rather than later, if we had to guess.

How can you get ready? Easy. Start by checking out 72hours.org. They can tell you what you will need to do for pre- and post-earthquake preparation.

However, the simplest way to start getting ready for the next big one is by making an emergency kit. 72hours can also tell you how to do it.

After a major disaster the usual services we take for granted, such as running water, refrigeration, and telephones, may be unavailable. Experts recommend that you should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least three days. Store your household disaster kit in an easily accessible location. Put contents in a large, watertight container (e.g. a large plastic garbage can with a lid and wheels) that you can move easily.
Your basic emergency kit should include: * Water - one gallon per person per day
* Food - ready to eat or requiring minimal water
* Manual can opener and other cooking supplies
* Plates, utensils and other feeding supplies
* First Aid kit & instructions
* A copy of important documents & phone numbers
* Warm clothes and rain gear for each family member.
* Heavy work gloves

24 Hours of NERT Earth!

Brock Keeling — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:21:53 GMT

Oh, and here are some tips from the NERT (~~National~~ Neighborhood Emergency Response Team), care of Ed Chu of the San Francisco Fire department. It's not the most entertaining bit of footage you'll see this year, but could be the most important. (Quick quiz: how many gallons of water per person is recommended for the 72 hour period after an earthquake? Five!)

Also, for more in-depth earthquake safety info, SFGTV2 (channel 78) is running "24 Hours of NERT" today for the 102nd anniversary of the Great Earthquake tonight. Sure, it runs two hours long, but in it you can learn how to fashion a toilet out of two garbage bags and some duct tape. Cool, right? You can be the MacGyver of the next big quake!

Did You Feel It?: Small Quake Shakes East Bay

Brock Keeling — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:08:58 GMT

An earthquake registering 3.2 hit the East Bay this morning, located five miles south of Antioch. The quake happened four hours ager a smaller 3.1 quake hit Reno last night..

There was no damage or injuries in either temblor. Why are we reporting this? To alarm you, that's why. And, as always, to get you prepared.

For more safety information about emergency on tips surviving an earthquake, here are some handy do's & don'ts.
For free training in disaster and emergency response, visit NERT -- Neighborhood Emergency Response Team
For tips on making your humble abode safer, go to Quakeinfo.org.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, 415-923-7100
American Red Cross, 415-427-8000
Visit 72Hours.org to help sooth your earthquake paranoia. (For 72Hours.org's suggestions on creating your very own earthquake emergency kit, which we highly recommend doing, follow the jump. Because we're sure as hell not sharing our Vienna sausages with you when the big one hits.)