Are you ready for the “Big One”? Have you prepared an earthquake survival plan for you and your family? These quick low-cost strategies can save you a life of suffering.
Living in California earthquakes might not come as a shock. However, the unpredictability and sheer force is enough to scare anyone standing within its midst. I assume we’ve all heard about the San Andreas Fault line. It’s a huge fault that vertically ascends down the Golden state. Connected to the San Andreas are many other fault lines contributing to California’s constant earth shaking events. In the past month these earthquakes have occurred as far east as Nevada and as far south as Guadalupe Victoria Mexico.1 Both quakes were above 4.0 in these geographic territories; including a 4.0 near Baker California as well.2 Countlessly I hear from my colleges “that we are long overdue for a big one”. Unfortunately, Japan ignored these same reports and 20,352 people lost their lives in 2011. Are you prepared for the “big one”?
Begin by establishing an escape plan for every part of your day. When I was attending the California Polytechnic University of Pomona I heard rumors that the eight-story building I had classes in sat on top of the San Jose Hills Fault line (a connecting fault of the greater San Andreas Fault). I began to have dreams of being in the building, and it swaying so much the building literally cracked in half. Like most California buildings the University rated their architectural structure at a high rating; however, a 1993 Chino Hills earthquake sprung an unstoppable leak along with beams and joints not meeting California earthquake standards.3 I began with a well executed escape plan through the building’s open corridors, rather than remaining trapped under a desk and a pile of cement and rubble. I suggest you do the same by researching your building’s earthquake rating and finding an escape plan that is physically achievable for your personal survival (remember the ground will be shaking).
At the house I began with water storage (four 5-gallon jugs). California already has a water shortage, and you can never have too much. Try purchasing imperishable foods, and store them in a place where they won’t get damaged. The most important purchase was earthquake insurance. The affects of hurricane Katrina are still being seen nearly a decade after. Neighborhoods are still abandoned, and I would hate to lose everything I’ve worked so hard for. We are all aware of the “big one”, and its time is slowly folding inward with a multitude of plates with state-long tectonic shifts .In other words, tons of earthquakes are already happening and the signs are there.
Let’s face it no matter how prepared you are, huge disastrous events are inevitable and out-of-our-hands. However, survival rates are higher the more equipped you are for an earthquake. Protect yourself, your family, and all of your assets. These simple affordable strategies are a no-brainer, including earthquake insurance. Route 66 Insurance Agency can add this to an existing policy at a low price. I was surprised after hearing rumors of costly policies, the benefits far prevail the risks of losing everything.
1. KURZWEIL, A. (2015, April 8). 4.5-Magnitude Quake Strikes in Baja California. Retrieved April 21, 2015, from http://ktla.com/2015/04/08/4-5-magnitude-quake-strikes-in-baja-california/
2. Small Earthquake Shakes Southern California Near Baker. (2015, March 30). Retrieved April 21, 2015, from http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/03/30/earthquake-quake-baker-california/
3. CLA Building. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLA_Building
