April is Earthquake Preparedness Month. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) encourages individuals, families and businesses across the state to prepare for the next big one, because it is not if but when it happens.
Californians can be proactive in their own preparedness by visiting earthquake.ca.gov.
The website offers resources such as a downloadable warning tool (MyShake) that sends an alert to users that shaking is about to occur, providing lifesaving seconds to Drop, Cover and Hold On. The site also offers tips on how to make a preparedness plan, secure items throughout the home and information about what your community is doing to keep you safe during intense shaking.
Join countless others in being prepared and aware of what to do when a big earthquake occurs.
Prepare
Did you know? The Golden State is known as earthquake country. Californians have experienced more than their fair share of earthquakes from El Centro to Eureka, and everyone should take proactive actions to stay ahead of the next big seismic event.
In July last year, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake occurred off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, triggering tsunami waves that caused structural damage in the Crescent City Harbor District. While rare, most tsunamis are caused by earthquakes, and Cal OES continues to monitor these events around the clock for potential impacts to communities statewide.
STEPS TO PREPARE:
Know your risks:
- Visit caloes.ca.gov to learn about local risks
- Prepare your home by securing furniture, appliances, home fuel systems and more
Make a plan:
- Create a customized emergency plan for your specific needs
- Make an emergency contact list
- Build an emergency supply kit with at least three days of supplies
Sign up for alerts:
Know how to protect yourself during an earthquake:
- DROP to the ground, COVER your head with your arms, and HOLD ON to your head and neck until shaking stops
- Remain vigilant for aftershocks
Check in on family and friends after shaking stops:
- Reach out to your emergency contacts
- Check in with those in your community who may need additional assistance
- Listen to local authorities and official resources
To download smartphone alerts and for more earthquake preparedness tips, visit earthquake.ca.gov.
Resources
About the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Cal OES serves as the state’s lead emergency management agency, including responding, directing, and coordinating state and federal resources and mutual aid assets across all regions to support communities across the state.
Listos California Earthquake Resources
Anchored at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) since 2019, Listos California has succeeded in reaching millions of Californians who otherwise wouldn’t have access to lifesaving emergency preparedness information. Providing tools to help vulnerable Californians not only survive, but also thrive post-disaster, is what makes Listos California so vital.
For a complete list of virtual resources, go to ListosCalifornia.org
- Listos California Social Toolkit
- Listos California Stay Safe Flyer
- Listos California Quick Guide
- Listos California Disaster Ready Guide
About Earthquake Warning California
As California continues to harness the power of science and technology to help keep our communities safe, when it comes to earthquakes, seconds can save lives. Cal OES is home to Earthquake Warning California and the state’s earthquake early warning system.
The earthquake early warning is an intricate system that uses the latest technology, including smartphone applications, operating system features and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), to provide individuals with an earthquake warning as soon as shaking is detected by ground motion monitoring in California.
Californians can be proactive in their own readiness by learning about Earthquake Warning California, which provides preparedness tips, actions to take during shaking, and how to recover after shaking stops.