Where to Hide During an Earthquake
Earthquakes are one of the most violent manifestations of Mother Nature’s power, but there is more you can do to protect yourself and your family. When you feel a tremor in the ground, follow these guidelines.
If you are at home
Most earthquakes last only a few seconds , and even strong ones last up to 30 seconds. This means that you must act quickly to protect yourself. According to the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov website , the first thing you should do is hit the ground instead of running out into the street . This makes it so that an earthquake cannot knock you down, and you become less of a target for falling or flying objects (both are the cause of most earthquakes).
Once on the ground, cover your head and neck with one hand while trying to crawl under something for cover. Avoid windows, dangling decor, tall furniture and appliances, mirrors and glass-filled cabinets while driving. Move along the inner walls, not the outer ones. Once you have found cover, curl up into a ball and use both hands to protect your head and neck. If you are using a wheelchair or similar mobile device, block the wheels, bend over, protect your head and neck with your hands, and wait for the shaking to stop. If you are awakened by an earthquake while lying in bed, stay in bed and cover your head and neck with a pillow. Running through the falling debris in the dark is a very bad idea.
Also, don’t stand in the doorway ! “This is a widespread myth based on the famous photograph of the California earthquake,” says Mark Bentien , director of communications, education and operations with the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC). Doorways are reinforced only in old adobe-style houses. Modern home doorways are not stronger than the rest of the building, and standing in them is more likely to get hurt – either from a wildly swinging door or from debris flying into you.
When the shaking finally stops, wait a few seconds before moving. Look around and above you to make sure nothing can harm you. The California Department of Environmental Protection then says that you should check for gas smell, wiring damage, and other fire hazards. After looking around, check for cracks or damage on the roof or foundation of the house. Don’t leave your home unless absolutely necessary, and don’t call people unless it’s urgent. You want roads and phone lines to remain clear for emergency workers.
If you are at work
Working at work is no different than being at home during an earthquake. You should get off, protect your head and neck, and find shelter under your desk or whatever. The only difference is that you can be evacuated after an earthquake so that inspectors can inspect the building.
But what if you are in a tall office building? Bentien suggests that higher floors may be safer in older buildings dating back to the 1970s. These buildings can partially collapse, but the upper floors usually remain intact. However, you have very little time to move, so you are probably better off finding refuge right away. Tall modern buildings are built to be earthquake-proof, so stay where you are.
If you are in a crowded work environment, it is even more important not to block the doorways. Doorways there, too, do not protect you, and you can cause dangerous traffic jams. Whatever happens after the earthquake, try not to leave work, even if they are off for the day. Again, you want the streets to be clear for emergency vehicles.
If you’re in your car
Driving during an earthquake can be very dangerous as seismic waves can cause loss of control. As soon as you feel movement, move your vehicle out of the driving range, come to a complete stop and apply the parking brake . Do not park under bridges, overpasses, trees, light poles, signs, or power lines. After parking, stay in the car until the shaking stops completely.
If something falls on your car while you are inside, stay in place until a trained person can remove it, especially if it is an electrical wire. If not, continue to your destination as usual. Be sure to watch out for unexpected road hazards and stay away from bridges, old roads, or ramps that may have just been damaged by an earthquake.
If you are on the street
If you are outdoors and trembling, go out into an open area . Stay away from buildings, power lines, or other objects that may fall on you. Once in a safe place, go back to basics. Bend down and protect your head and neck.
If you are in the mountains during an earthquake, watch for landslides above and below your location. If you are by the ocean, leave the area as soon as possible and ascend to avoid a tsunami. And don’t worry about the earth splitting and swallowing you. Bentien notes that shallow surface cracks can occur on the soil surface and on hillsides when they finally settle, but they are often not very deep.