Earthquake Preparation

An earthquake can strike at any time, and without warning.

Like most natural disasters, an earthquake can strike when you least expect it. But the fact that they can strike so quickly perfectly highlights the need to prepare and practice your disaster preparedness.

Before an Earthquake

Make a plan:

Prepare your emergency kit and make a communication plan. Identify evacuation routes in your area and define a meeting point for your family.

Identify safe spaces:

Inside, get under heavy, sturdy objects like tables or against an inside wall. Outside, stay away from buildings and get out into the open. In a car, stop and stay in your seat. Avoid being near buildings or under an overpass.

During an Earthquake

Drop, cover, and hold on:

Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on to any sturdy furniture. If in bed, stay there and cover your neck with a pillow.

Stay put:

If inside, don’t attempt to run outside once an earthquake begins. If in a vehicle, stop in an area away from large structures, trees, or utility lines.

Look out from above:

If near mountains or slopes, watch for falling rocks or landslides.

After an Earthquake

Expect aftershocks:

Small tremors may still happen long after the initial quake has passed.

Avoid the damage:

Move outside of any damaged buildings. Do no attempt to re-enter them.

Move up or inland:

If you’re near the coast, watch for tsunamis. Move to higher ground immediately.


Real People. Real Disasters. Real Stories.

No one can really understand the power of Mother Nature unless they’ve seen it for themselves. These people have. Read on to learn more about their incredible stories, what they’ve learned, and what they wished they had known.

How to Prepare for an Event That Feels "Like a Truck Slamming into Your House"

Live in an earthquake zone? Learn five DIY earthquake safety tips to consider for updating your home, from an earthquake scientist who lives on a fault zone.

With the Neighborhood in Ruins, He Doubled Down to Keep His Cafe Open

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake left this Napa Valley café with barely a scratch. But more than three years later, the business owner is still dealing with the fallout.

Fleeing Disaster, Pet Owners Face the Impossible

Evacuating during a hurricane, wildfire or other disaster carries an extra burden for pet owners: keeping furry, four-legged members of the family safe and calm in the chaos.