Earthquake Preparedness

The Pacific Northwest region, including the city of Shoreline, is a seismically active area that produces earthquakes of small magnitude frequently. At any time, the area could experience a high magnitude earthquake, which residents should be aware of, and prepare for.

Preparing for an earthquake can also aid you if you become stuck due to severe weather, or other emergencies.

Know what to do if shaking starts

Graphic from ready.gov/earthquakes

When shaking starts you will not have time to move far. Do not run while shaking is happening, and stay indoors.

You should be prepared to stop what you are doing, drop to the ground so you are not knocked down, and cover yourself, either by getting under furniture, covering yourself with something nearby, or covering your head with your arms. Hold on to what you take shelter underneath; move with it if it shifts while shaking.

Stay away from windows, and heavy furniture that could fall, such as bookcases. Getting under a solid piece of furniture like a desk or table is recommended.

When the shaking stops, be prepared for aftershocks, which are typically of lower magnitude, but can be similar strength and intensity.

The information on this page is from the Washington State Department of Health.

Please visit the Department of Health website to read more in-depth information about earthquakes

Practice STOP, DROP, COVER

Muscle memory can save you time when shaking starts. Practice yourself, and get members of your household to practice DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON. You can also practice what to do if you are not indoors, such as outside, in your car, or in a stadium. Visit the CDC Earthquake website linked below to imagine and visualize different scenarios.

The City of Shoreline encourages residents to talk and coordinate with neighbors to prepare for earthquakes.

You or someone you know can take classes under the Community Emergency Response Team program (CERT). The program teaches first aid, search and rescue, and fire suppression, among other skills. Emergency responders may not be able to help you for days in the case of a catastrophic disaster.

You may also have resources among your neighbors already! Someone near you may be trained in first aid, or disaster response. The annual ‘Neighborhood Night Out’ is a great time to find out which neighbors may be ready and prepared to help incase of an emergency. You can also ask about gas and water shut off locations among neighbors, to be ready to shut off the gas and water of neighbors who are not at home during an earthquake.

Use this Emergency Contacts Form (PDF available below) or make your own. Be sure all family members, including kids, have a copy.

Emergency Management professionals now encourage residents in earthquake prone areas to be “2 Weeks Ready”, specifically to have enough food, water, essential medication, and first aid supplies to be self-sufficient for up to two weeks in the case of a catastrophic disaster.

Even in the case of a severe, but less than catastrophic earthquake, having supplies on hand to mitigate traveling to collect resources can keep you in a safe location when aftershocks may still occur.

You can start small, and build up your resources with time. Any preparation is good preparation! Building emergency supplies doesn’t need to be expensive. You can build your own kit with supplies you already have on hand, or by asking neighbors (in-person, or through free trading programs like ‘Buy Nothing’).

From print at home infographics, to free first aid supplies from a community event, there are many free resources you can utilize to prepare for earthquakes. Being informed is a great place to start, followed by taking action! These resources are some of the many you can use, and represent a good starting point. There are also books available to check out from our nearby libraries.

The Washington State Emergency Management Division has a list of free resources, like infographics and brochures that can be downloaded or delivered to you.

Different people need different things; keep in mind how you, people in your household, or people you know may be affected differently by a natural disaster. This includes medication management, adapting plans for different mobility levels, and gathering resources if you are experiencing homelessness.

Stay safe neighbors! If you are feeling overwhelmed, or still aren’t sure where to start, you can email us.