Earthquake Safety
- Feb 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 24
According to the Southern California Earthquake Center, there is a 60% chance of a 6.7 or greater earthquake occurring in Southern California. Yet an American Red Cross survey conducted in 2004 shows only one in four households in the Western United States is prepared to face such an emergency.
Are You Prepared?
Earthquakes can happen in California at any time. Businesses operating in the critical infrastructure space, as well as individuals and families living or visiting the Golden State, should be appropriately prepared to react and respond quickly when an earthquake occurs, including using early earthquake warning technology and earthquake warnings as part of their preparedness efforts.
It’s always a good time to prepare for an earthquake.
We know that there are many things to be worried about, but when it comes to earthquakes, it is not a matter of if but when one will occur. Earthquakes can cause severe damage to infrastructure and can result in injuries and fatalities. There is no earthquake season — they can strike any time of year.
Cal OES is encouraging Californians to take the time to update their emergency plan, share any emergency preparedness lists with friends and family, and download the MyShake App. So many things in life may catch us off guard, but now, earthquakes don’t have to!
Earthquake Warnings are a Game Changer:
Cal OES encourages residents to have a plan for how to protect themselves in the event of an earthquake. If you receive a warning or feel shaking, there are moments to act. People can get a jump start before shaking can be felt. Make sure to take protective actions such as DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON (or LOCK, COVER, and HOLD ON if using a wheelchair).
There may be circumstances where a warning is issued, but no shaking occurs. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to earthquakes. We encourage you to share this information with friends and family in California to help spread the word about the technology available to help keep them safe.
To receive earthquake warnings, individuals and family members can download the MyShake App and ensure phone settings are adjusted to receive emergency alerts. Here are some of the ways to receive earthquake warnings:
MyShake App. An app that can be downloaded for mobile devices at no cost from Google Play and the Apple App Store. App users can set up a “HomeBase” location to receive earthquake warnings without having location services turned on.
Android Earthquake Alerts. Included in new or updated Android devices, the system uses the same technology as the MyShake App.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). Text-like messages from the government during emergency situations. This includes Presidential, Imminent Threats (fire, earthquake, floods, etc.), and AMBER alerts.
When an earthquake warning is issued from any of these sources, you should act quickly and take protective actions to stay safe, such as dropping to the ground, covering your head with your arms, and holding onto your neck with both hands until the shaking stops. Do not stand in doorways or near glass windows.
PQ-NE Action Group encourages you to have a plan for how to protect yourselves in the event of an earthquake, be it onsite, on the road, or at home. If you receive a warning, please be sure to react with the assumption that shaking will occur soon after. There may be circumstances where a warning is issued, but no shaking occurs. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to earthquakes. We encourage you to share this information with friends and family in California to help spread the word about the technology available to help keep them safe.
Please visit earthquake.ca.gov to learn more about the latest tools and resources and how to use them. You can also sign up for a regular partner e-newsletter on the website from Cal OES that includes the latest news and information about Earthquake Warning California.
Earthquake Warning California
Earthquake Warning California is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system that could give California residents crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking. Managed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Earthquake Warning California uses ground motion sensors from across the state to detect earthquakes before humans can feel them and can notify Californians to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in advance of an earthquake.
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