Be Prepared!

There is a 63% chance that a large earthquake (magnitude 6.7 or greater) will occur between now and 2036 in the Bay Area*. The best earthquake hazard prevention lies in preparation. In the event of a large earthquake along the Hayward Fault, water, power, and transportation lines running along and across the fault will likely be severed, leaving people without access to water and power for several days, if not weeks to months. Furthermore, it may be several days before emergency personnel reach your area.

You can take measures to prepare for an earthquake by following the steps below. With your help, we can continue to ensure that Bay Area life and commerce continue unabated into the future. The information provided below will help you get ready for the next big one.

Follow the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety:

1. Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them.
2. Create a disaster-preparedness plan.
3. Create disaster kits.
4. Identify your building's potential weaknesses and begin to fix them.
5. Protect yourself during earthquake shaking.
6. After the quake, check for injuries and damage.
7. When safe, continue to follow your disaster-preparedness plan.

- From "Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country"

Quiz Yourself- Is your home or apartment safe? (Association of Bay Area Governments)

Interactive Quiz- Simulation quiz from dropcoverholdon.org about your home and what you can do to secure items.

Resources

These links offer a variety of useful information on how to prepare your family and your home for a damaging earthquake.

• Information from FEMA
  ABAG Hazards Info - Association of Bay Area Governments
  Quake Country - San Francisco Chronicle
  The Next Big Earthquake - United States Geological Survey
  On Shaky Ground: Living with Earthquakes on the North Coast - Humboldt State University
  Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country - United States Geological Survey
  How to prepare for an emergency! - from TheEpicenter.com
  The Earthquake Preparedness Handbook (PDF) - Los Angeles City Fire Department
  The Community Preparedness Website Project - FEMA and the Office of Emergency Services Coastal Region

* Source: 2008 Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast (UCERF)