25 Years Since Loma Prieta: Are You Ready for the Next Big Earthquake?

Falling debris, power outages, ruptured pipes and fires are just a few of the things that can happen as a result of a large earthquake. How prepared is your family?

October 17 marks 25 years since the Loma Prieta earthquake struck Northern California. Bay Area residents will never forget the harrowing 6.9 magnitude quake that claimed 63 lives. Those not living in the area witnessed the event on television when the 15 second quake struck at 5:04 p.m. during the airing of the 1989 World Series.

Residents were recently reminded of Loma Prieta when a 6.1 magnitude quake struck American Canyon in the North Bay Area during the early morning hours on Aug. 24. The devastating quake caused severe damage to buildings, homes and infrastructure.

Related article: BAY AREA QUAKE: Click here for Patch’s Full Earthquake Coverage

To prepare for potential earthquakes, millions of Californians took part in the annual Great California ShakeOut drill today at 10:16 a.m.

The American Red Cross wants to help residents prepare in the event of an earthquake.

• Become aware of fire evacuation and earthquake safety plans for all of the buildings you occupy regularly.
• Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you.
• Practice “drop, cover and hold on” in each safe place. If you do not have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
• Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed in case the earthquake strikes in the middle of the night.
• Make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation.
• Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs.
• Bolt bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs.
• Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.
• Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. Large or heavy items should be closest to the floor.
• Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.
• Learn about your area’s seismic building standards and land use codes before you begin new constructionKeep and maintain an emergency supplies kit in an easy-to-access location.

Find a full Earthquake Safety Checklist here. Download the free Earthquake App courtesy of the American Red Cross!

Text “GETQUAKE” to 90999 or search “Red Cross Earthquake” in the Apple App Store or Google Play.

—Information submitted by the American Red Cross

Photo via Shutterstock.

How have you prepared for the next earthquake? Scroll down to find the comments section and tell us. Wondering how our new commenting platform, Disqus, works? Learn more about it here and start interacting with your neighbors on Patch.