Central Coast residents preparing after 6.4 magnitude earthquake rocks Southern California
UPDATE 07/05/2019 6:20 p.m. While it is best to be prepared for an earthquake before it hits, it is often an afterthought.
After the 6.4 earthquake truck near Ridgecrest, California on Thursday, officials are urging people to be prepared with an emergency kit.
Only two out of the 20 residents KION spoke with had some sort of emergency kit, but all said this quake has made them think twice. “Definitely I have a meet up spot with family and friends in case of an
earthquake, but a kit I do not have and I need to have,” said Frances N.
James Jatho agreed, “this whole situation has made me rethink a future quake. It’s concerning, you know as fault lines go, it’s close enough that it could be us next time.”
Jim Burns with the American Red Cross said outside of having a kit, you need to make a plan and know what to do during a quake. “Once the ground starts shaking, communications devises might not work so it’s important to talk through where you might go, if you’re in school, where a good pick up place would be and of course drop, cover and hold on during an earthquake.”
He said many have been taught to find a doorway to stay under during an earthquake, but he says you want to minimize how far you have to go during the shaking, so find another sturdy piece of furniature to stay under until the ground has stopped moving.
It’s also important you learn how to shut off your gas after a big earthquake. Like we saw in Southern California, they can cause the gas pipelines to rupture and cause fires. The shut off valve is typically located near the gas meter and you will need a wrench to turn it.
Here is a list of items the USGS says should be included in your kit:
Fire extinguisher Adequate supplies of medications that you or family members are taking Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies First-aid kit and handbook Flashlights with extra bulbs and batteries Portable radio with extra batteries Water for each family member for at least two weeks (allow at least one gallon per person per day) Enough canned and packaged food for several days and a mechanical can opener. Include extra food for pets if necessary. Camp stove or barbecue to cook outdoors Waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal
For more information from the red cross on how to prepare, click here.
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While it is best to be prepared for an earthquake before it hits, it is often an afterthought.
After the 6.4 earthquake truck near Ridgecrest, California on Thursday, officials are urging people to be prepared with an emergency kit.
Here is a list of items the USGS says should be included in your kit:
Fire extinguisher Adequate supplies of medications that you or family members are taking Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies First-aid kit and handbook Flashlights with extra bulbs and batteries Portable radio with extra batteries Water for each family member for at least two weeks (allow at least one gallon per person per day) Enough canned and packaged food for several days and a mechanical can opener. Include extra food for pets if necessary. Camp stove or barbecue to cook outdoors Waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal
KION’s Ashley Keehn will have more on how Central Coast residents are preparing at 5 and 6 p.m.
