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San Mateo – The San Andreas fault off San Francisco ruptured 119 years ago this morning, unleashing a cataclysm with repercussions and lessons for us today.
The Great San Francisco Earthquake struck a mostly sleeping city at 5:12 a.m. Buildings fell and a raging firestorm ignited. An estimated 250,000 people were suddenly homeless.
“An earthquake can happen at any moment—and when it does, it won’t wait for us to be ready,” said Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, director of the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management. “Preparedness isn’t just a checklist, it’s a mindset. The more we plan, practice, and support one another today, the stronger and more resilient our community will be when the next earthquake hits.”
Experts advise packing a “Go Bag” that will help see you and your family through the first 72 hours of an emergency: fires, earthquakes, floods, extreme weather or any number of emergencies. The “Go Bag” should be packed with emergency gear but also light and handy.
Come to the April 26 “Be Wildfire Safe & Ready” to learn from local experts on what to put in a Go Bag – and what to leave out.
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