A warning against shaky preparations
Article Launched: 07/30/2008 11:00:11 PM PDT
Well, most of us needed the reminder.
And Tuesday's magnitude-5.4 earthquake centered in Chino Hills was almost ideal to jog our memories that we live in quake country, subject to shaking at any moment. There was no loss of life, just a few minor injuries and not much property damage.
Luckily, Chino Hills is a relatively new community, incorporated in 1991, that enjoyed explosive growth in the late '90s and earlier this decade. That means most of its buildings went up under the 1997 building code update that followed the killer 6.7 Northridge quake of 1994.
But Tuesday's shaker was an attention-getter. Now we need that attention to translate into action. We'd suggest that this Saturday - while the memory is fresh - would be a great day to bring all your quake supplies and family contingency plans back up to snuff if they've turned a bit musty.
We admit we've let our own readiness slip a bit, and we bet you have too. We haven't had much in the way of quakes since the first half of the '90s - when besides Northridge there were quakes north of Upland and near Landers and Big Bear.
Of course, the catastrophic quake in China should have spurred us to get ready. So should have the May warning from geologists that a huge quake like the one in China will hit us one day, and that we're not really up to it on individual or governmental levels.
But actually getting shaken up is a more visceral reminder.
Government agencies were already planning a massive drill in November - called the "Great Southern California ShakeOut" - designed to prepare for a 7.8 quake on the San Andreas Fault that scientists say would shake for three minutes and result in 1,800 deaths.
So Saturday would be good time to get prepared for the Big One we're told is inevitable. What does that involve?
Water is the thing you just can't do without. You need to store enough at home to get your family through three days at least, preferably seven, in case your water supply gets severed. Same for food: seven days worth of canned goods and packaged foods that would be easy to prepare or could be eaten right out of the container. You'll need to rotate the stored water and food so it's still good when you need it.
Don't forget the family vehicles, which should carry a handipack of water, some food and comfortable shoes.
Draw up or update an emergency plan for your family. Choose a place to meet if you can't communicate by phone or text. (Cell phone networks and even some land lines were overwhelmed by the huge spike in calls after Tuesday's temblor; the Big One would cause much worse problems.) And everyone in the family should carry an out-of-state contact number to call so you can all report in.
Tend to the house, too. You need a turn-off wrench for your gas meter or an automatic shutoff valve. Secure bookcases and all heavy, tall furniture. Safety latches on cabinets are a good idea. It's all coming back to you, right?
Do it now, before the memory of the Chino Hills quake fades.
