Did you feel Tuesday’s 5.1 magnitude earthquake?
Natural disasters, like earthquakes, happen unexpectedly and can create major disruptions that last long after the event is over. Emergency situations may force individuals and families to quickly find shelter or evacuate from their homes, workplaces, or other settings. By being prepared and planning ahead, Californians can quickly take life-saving actions to keep them safe in an earthquake. It’s important for all households to prepare a family disaster plan; identify safe spots to take cover in places where they live, work, and play; identify emergency escape routes; develop a communication plan; and have an emergency supply kit readily available.
To ensure all Californians are earthquake prepared, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) developed Earthquake Warning California, which is the nation’s first statewide earthquake warning system that provides several seconds of warning to mobile device users in the area before shaking occurs. Earthquake Warning California offers no-cost earthquake warning resources, including:
MyShake App: A mobile app that can be downloaded for mobile devices at no-cost from Google Play the Apple App Store. App location services must be set to “always on” so that ground sensors can alert those in the nearby area when shaking is detected.
Android Earthquake Alerts: An earthquake warning system available to any new or updated Android devices that uses that same technology as the MyShake App.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): Text-like messages from the government during emergency situations. This includes: Presidential, Imminent Threat (fire, earthquake, floods, etc.), and AMBER alerts.
Earthquake Warning California resources are designed to notify users to quickly take protective action such as to drop, cover, and hold on. These earthquake warning tools can help protect lives and prevent damage to properties in the areas hardest hit during an earthquake. In serious shaking situations, individuals may be knocked down to the ground, so sheltering prior to shaking is the prudent thing to do.