Earthquake specialists are encouraging the public to utilize current technology and available resources to survive a major earthquake.
Over 10 million people in California and 52 million people worldwide signed up to participate in the GreatShakeout earthquake drill held on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 10:17 am to practice the life-saving move to “drop, cover and hold on.”
The Great ShakeOut, first started in Los Angeles in 2008, has now grown to be an annual international earthquake preparedness drill. It provides direction on what to do before, during and after an earthquake, whether at work, at home or in transit.
Each year, more people at home, in school or at their jobs are paying attention to the warning by earthquake specialists that it isn’t a matter of “if but when” a large earthquake will hit.
For the LA region, it’s statistically estimated as 60% for an earthquake measuring 6.7; 46% for an earthquake measuring 7; and 31% for an earthquake measuring 7.5.
“It really is hard, despite all our scientific advances, to reputedly predict earthquakes and the billions in damage they can cause,” Amy Palmer, deputy director of crisis communications for Cal OES said during a briefing held by Ethnic Media Services.
However, California has a first-in-the-nation Earthquake Early Warning System, including the MyShake App.
The warning systems detect ground motion as soon as an earthquake begins and then quickly responds by sending an alert that an earthquake is on its way.
While the warning can provide up to 30 seconds prior to an earthquake, that short period of time can be enough to “drop, cover and hold on” to brace yourself and protect your body by getting under a table or desk or by getting on your knees and covering your head with your arms.
It’s been found that most injuries have occurred from falling debris. It’s recommended for those driving to pull over and park.
Years ago, people were instructed to stand beneath a doorway or to actually go outside and leave the structure they’re in, but that’s no longer the recommendation.
“That guidance comes from decades ago, before most of our buildings were designed to ‘Life Safety Codes,’ which mean that the building will let you survive with minimal injuries,” said José Lara, Cal OES Seismic Hazards Branch manager.
Outside, downed power lines, falling trees, glass and debris from buildings can cause serious injury.
In addition to Cal OES, the Listos California program is another resource to diverse and vulnerable populations living in high hazard areas. They offer multilingual emergency preparedness, education and recovery information and help connect people living in California to their local alert systems based on their zip code.
This year’s GreatShakeout occurred on the 35th anniversary of the Bay Area’s devastating Loma Prieta earthquake.
In 1989, the Loma Prieta quake with a 6.9 magnitude hit the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, killing 63 people, injuring 3,757 and causing $5.6 to $6 billion in damages.
Closer to home, in our own backyard, the 6.7 magnitude Northridge earthquake in 1994 killed 57 people and injured over 8,700 people in the valley. California State University, Northridge (CSUN), and the surrounding neighborhoods suffered as much as $50 billion in damages.
Yet, 55% of human injuries were caused by falling furniture or objects, while only 1% were caused by building damage.
Now with improved technology residents can receive more information about being prepared. Californians have already received millions of alerts, largely through the free MyShake app – available in the state’s top six languages. The preparedness tips come alongside the alerts.
“While earthquakes aren’t predictable, technology is giving us unprecedented opportunities to be ready,” said Sonya Harris, senior advisor of Cal OES disaster preparedness campaign Listos California. “How far we’ve come to have these seconds that will save lives.”
Palmer agrees.
Referencing the “horrifying images of freeways and homes collapsing 35 years ago,” Palmer said, “it can’t be taken for granted that people will all know what to do when the shaking starts.
“As we’re facing more varied disasters in California, the bright spot is that it’s never been easier to get life-saving information through events like the Great ShakeOut.”