HOW STRONGLY THE GROUND SHAKES DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE
ADDITIONAL WEB SITES OF INTEREST
Anyone who has lived on or near the North Coast knows that earthquakes are a fact of life in our area. The level of earthquake activity during the last five years has been higher than at any other time this century (see graph below), with more large earthquakes than any other region of the United States. Five earthquakes caused significant damage in the Cape Mendocino area. In December 1994, Humboldt Bay residents were jarred by a magnitude 5.4 earthquake and discovered that a moderate event beneath our feet can be much more significant than a big one farther away. Inland residents of the historically quiet Klamath Falls area discovered they were not immune to natures movements; all parts of the western United States are truly earthquake country, especially the North Coast.
A recent study by the California Division of Mines and Geology outlines the likely effects of an earthquake much bigger than any historically recorded. This study brings a new concern to our ears - tsunami ! With the earth shaking beneath our feet and stories of even stronger earthquakes still to come, it is not surprising that many of us feel overwhelmed and helpless. Fortunately there is something we can do. We can take actions to prepare and protect our homes, our work places and our communities before the next big earthquake. No one can predict exactly when or where the next strong earthquake will strike; we do know, however, what kinds of buildings are most vulnerable and the type of problems that earthquakes will bring. With even modest preparation, most people will survive even the strongest of earthquakes. By taking actions such as those described in this booklet, we can drastically reduce the loss of life and property, and hasten post-earthquake recovery efforts.
Government cannot protect us from the next earthquake. Government agencies have important roles to play, such as developing safe building codes and planning emergency response. However, it is our responsibility as individuals, neighborhoods and communities to make sure that planning for earthquakes has the high priority it should. Only we can make the effort to reduce the hazards around us and, by becoming informed, protect ourselves during and after the next earthquake.
NORTHCOAST EARTHQUAKES: Magnitude 6 or higher.
If a major earthquake knocked out your power, disrupted your water supply and damaged your home, could you cope on your own for three days? A major earthquake disaster would overwhelm local law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel and resources. If transportation and communication channels are damaged, getting help may take hours or days. When a city cannot adequately meet demands for help, it requests assistance from neighboring cities and/or the county. If the county cannot adequately assist, the request is passed on to the State of Office of Emergency Services (OES). Finally, if state resources are insufficient, the Governor can ask the President to declare the county(ies) a Major Disaster Area and release federal assistance. This process may take days.
What does this mean to us when a major earthquake hits the North Coast? Even under the best of circumstances, medical aid or fire and law enforcement officials may be unable to reach you immediately, particularly if you live in a remote area. The State Office of Emergency Services recommends that all individuals, families, schools, and businesses store adequate resources to be on their own for a minimum of 72 hours. In more remote areas help may take even longer.
You can help yourself and your community by preparing for those first crucial days. Government resources will be on the way, but the efforts of individuals and neighborhoods immediately after an earthquake can save lives and determine how quickly your community will recover.
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