With earthquakes an inevitable part of Southern California’s future, we must be prepared to act quickly to ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes.

LACOE partners with the Earthquake Country Alliance in promoting the Great Southern California Shakeout drill. This drill centers on the Shakeout Earthquake Scenario, a realistic portrayal of what could happen in a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on the southern end of the San Andreas Fault.

During the drill, those involved will participate by doing “Drop, Cover and Hold.”

Earthquake Safety Procedure:

• During an earthquake, drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it firmly. Be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops.
  • If you are not near a desk or table, drop to the floor against the interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms.
  • Avoid exterior walls, windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances, and kitchen cabinets with heavy objects or glass.
• Do not go outside until it is safe to do so.

To know more about “Drop, Cover and Hold”, see the info below or click on: http://shakeout.org/dropcoverholdon/

Advice for people with disabilities or access and functional needs are provided at Advice for People With Disabilities or Access and Functional Needs

At-Home Emergency Preparedness:

It is important to be prepared for an emergency because disaster (in this case an earthquake) can occur anytime. We must prepare our homes and families for such an event to happen while we are at work. Such planning can provide additional confidence that your family and home can survive a disaster and eventually be reunited safely.

The 4 General Step for Preparedness

1. Make a Family Emergency Plan
   • Decide how your family will communicate during emergency
   • Select a designated meeting location
   • Make copies of important financial and medical documents
2. Keep emergency supplies (food, water, first aid, medications and pet supplies
3. Stay informed with EAS (Emergency Alert System), battery-powered radio, amateur radio (HAM operators) and websites like earthquakecountry.org and ready.lacounty.gov
4. Get involved with neighborhood networks and CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) 

In addition, there are 10 essential actions you should take for your family and loved ones before a disaster strikes

1. Learn the threats and disaster risks in your area
2. Select an out-of-state contact (local phone lines may not work for days or weeks)
3. Know your evacuation routes and refugee areas
4. Know the location of utility shut-offs (gas, water, electricity)
5. Know the emergency policies of your children’s schools and adult-care centers
6. Secure potential falling objects (i.e. book shelves, mirrors, pictures, etc) 
7. Identify safe spots in each room to take cover, if needed
8. Have a plan for extra medications
9. Make special provisions for children, seniors, pets and people with disabilities
10. Schedule annual disaster drills with your family

Web Resources, Alert Systems & Radio Stations

Web Resources:

• Earthquake Country Alliance
  • ECA and ShakeOut Documents in Many Languages
  • Terremotos.org
  • ShakeOut.org – Español
• Ready LA County
• Cal OES - California Office of Emergency Services – Earthquake Preparedness
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
• California Earthquake Authority (CEA)
• ShakeAlert® Earthquake Early Warning System
• American Red Cross Earthquake Safety

Alert Systems:

• Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) Alerts
  • Sign up for earthquake early warning alerts through the official ShakeAlert website. You can receive notifications via mobile apps, text messages, and other channels.
• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
  • Make sure your mobile phone is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which include earthquake notifications.
• Local Emergency Alerts
  • Register for local emergency alerts provided by your city or county emergency management agencies. Check their websites for sign-up information.
  • Website: Alert LA County
• NOAA Weather Radio
  • Consider getting a NOAA Weather Radio, which can provide emergency alerts for various types of disasters, including earthquakes.
• Social Media Alerts
  • Follow official social media accounts of organizations like the USGS, FEMA, and your local emergency management agencies for real-time updates during emergencies.
• Community Alert Apps
  • Download and use community alert apps specific to your area, such as the "MyShake" app for California residents.

Radio Stations

Listening to local radio stations can be a valuable source of alerts and updates during emergencies, including earthquakes. Here's a list of some radio stations in California that you can tune into for emergency information and updates:

Los Angeles County:

• KNX 1070 AM (Los Angeles):
  • News and traffic updates, including emergency information.
• KFI 640 AM (Los Angeles):
  • News, talk, and emergency coverage.
• KPCC 89.3 FM (Los Angeles):
  • Public radio with emergency alerts and coverage.
• KABC 790 AM (Los Angeles):
  • News, talk, and emergency updates.
• KRLA 870 AM (Los Angeles):
  • News and talk radio, often featuring emergency information.

Throughout the State:

• KGO 810 AM (San Francisco):
  • News, talk, and emergency updates.
• KCBS 740 AM (San Francisco):
  • All-news radio with frequent updates.
• KQED 88.5 FM (San Francisco):
  • Public radio with emergency broadcasts and updates.
• KFBK 1530 AM (Sacramento):
  • News, talk, and emergency coverage.
• KOGO 600 AM (San Diego):
  • News, talk, and emergency broadcasts.
• KPBS 89.5 FM (San Diego):
  • Public radio with emergency alerts and news.
• KQED 88.1 FM (San Jose):
  • Public radio with emergency broadcasts and updates.
• KSEE 940 AM (Fresno):
  • News and talk radio with local emergency coverage.
• KMPH 840 AM (Fresno):
  • News and updates, including emergency information.

Please note that the availability and coverage of emergency alerts on these radio stations may vary, so it's a good idea to program these stations into your radio or car presets ahead of time and listen to them during emergencies. Additionally, you can check with your local emergency management agency for specific radio stations that broadcast emergency information in your area.