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Today's 4.3 earthquake, centered in Berkeley, reminds us of the need to be prepared for the expected big one. It sure woke me up at 3am!
The US Geological Survey (USGS) warns that we may experience aftershocks over the next week. USGS also predicts there is a 63% chance of a deadly 6.7 magnitude earthquake in the Bay Area within the next 30 years.
This is a good time for us to make sure we are prepared. Having an earthquake emergency kit and securing tall furniture to walls is a good start.
Home gas lines can rupture during a major quake and cause fire. That’s why I recommend installing an automatic gas shut-off valve on your house. I have one on mine and the County and many cities require these devices.
I recommend downloading the MyShake App to get alerts on your cell phone that imminent shaking is expected. This could give you a few seconds to prepare for the shaking. However, if the epicenter of the quake is near you, you may not get advance warning since the shock waves travel faster than the communication signal for the warning.
Today, I received my alert at the time shaking occurred.
To get emergency alerts on your cell phone from the Contra Costa Community Warning System, click here to register your cell phone.
Here are some helpful websites to help you prepare for an earthquake:
Let’s all be prepared!
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