Staying Safe Where the Earth Shakes

California is a beautiful state. But no matter where you live in our state, whether it is the Redwood forests, high Cascades, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley, Mojave Desert, near the beaches of southern California, a big city or smaller town, you live in earthquake country. Understanding the risks and preparing to survive and recover can help keep you and your family safe.

California is a dynamic place where the forces of nature are continually uplifting, twisting and eroding the landscape. Almost everyone in the state lives within 15 miles of an active fault, capable of producing earthquakes as large as the 1989 Loma Prieta or the 1994 Northridge earthquakes. And when a very large earthquake occurs, you don’t need to be close to the epicenter for the shaking to affect you. Big earthquakes many miles away can cause damage and disrupt the life of your community. Coastal areas are also at risk of tsunamis, generated from either earthquakes on local faults or across the Pacific.

Life After a Big Quake

These earthquakes will disrupt services like electricity, water and sewer, and may limit access in and out of the region. Fire and police departments will be dealing with the most serious situations and may be unable to respond quickly to issues in your community. Government assistance may not be available or may not be enough to replace your damaged belongings or repair your home. Good news: Taking steps now will give you confidence that you and your family are prepared to stay safe where the earth shakes.

Get Started Now by Reading this Booklet!

The Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety in this booklet give you basic guidelines for what to do before, during, and after a damaging earthquake. You can also visit EarthquakeCountry.org for more tips on how to apply these steps to your family’s unique needs.