Earthquake Preparedness Guide
Practical preparedness for earthquakes: emergency supplies, household plans, building safety assessment, and what to do during and after shaking — informed by USGS, FEMA, and Red Cross guidance.
Key Takeaway
Earthquakes strike without warning and their worst impacts — structural collapse, fires, gas leaks, and infrastructure failure — unfold in the first minutes and hours. Preparedness before an event is the only effective mitigation. Experts recommend preparing for 7-14 days of self-sufficiency in high-seismic-risk areas, securing heavy objects that could fall, knowing how to shut off gas and water, and having a family communication plan that does not depend on cell networks, which typically fail after major events.
Emergency Supplies Checklist
The following table lists recommended emergency supplies for earthquake preparedness, organized by category. FEMA's minimum recommendation is 72 hours of supplies; most emergency managers in high-risk regions now recommend 7-14 days. Prioritize water, then food, then communication, then first aid.
| Category | Item | Quantity / Notes | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Stored water | 1 gal/person/day × 7 days | Critical |
| Water | Water purification tablets | Backup for filtration | High |
| Food | Non-perishable food | 3 meals/day × 7 days per person | Critical |
| Food | Manual can opener | 1 per household | High |
| Communication | Battery/hand-crank radio | NOAA weather radio capability | Critical |
| Communication | Flashlight + batteries | LED, extra batteries | Critical |
| Communication | Whistle | Signal for help if trapped | High |
| Communication | Written contact list | Out-of-area contact phone numbers | High |
| First Aid | First aid kit | Comprehensive, check expiry annually | Critical |
| First Aid | Prescription medications | 7-day backup supply | Critical (if applicable) |
| First Aid | Dust masks / N95 respirators | Per person; 1 per person minimum | High |
| Shelter/Warmth | Emergency blankets | Mylar type, one per person | High |
| Shelter/Warmth | Sturdy shoes | By each bed (for broken glass) | High |
| Tools | Wrench or pliers | To shut off gas and water valves | Critical |
| Tools | Work gloves | Heavy duty, for debris handling | High |
| Documents | Copies of vital documents | ID, insurance, bank — waterproof container | High |
| Documents | Cash | Small bills; ATMs may be down | Medium |
| Sanitation | Moist towelettes / hand sanitizer | Adequate for 7 days | Medium |
| Sanitation | Toilet paper and sanitation bags | For if sewer system is damaged | Medium |
Source: FEMA Basic Emergency Supply Kit and American Red Cross earthquake preparedness guidelines FEMA Basic Emergency Supply Kit and American Red Cross earthquake preparedness guidelines Quantities reflect recommended 7-day preparedness level
Compiled by the " research team.
Creating Your Household Earthquake Plan
An emergency plan is effective only if every member of the household knows it before a disaster strikes. Post-earthquake conditions — power outages, cell network failure, road closures — make real-time coordination very difficult. Build a plan that everyone can execute independently.
Identify safe spots in every room. For each room where family members spend time, identify where to Drop, Cover, and Hold On: under sturdy tables or desks, against interior walls away from windows and heavy furniture that could fall. Practice this with all household members, including children. The response should be automatic.
Establish a meeting location. Designate two meeting spots: one immediately outside the home (for a minor event) and one away from the neighborhood (in case you cannot return home). Ensure everyone knows the address and can navigate there without GPS.
Designate an out-of-area contact. After a major earthquake, local calls often fail while long-distance calls succeed. Designate a relative or friend outside the affected region as the family communication hub. All household members should have this number memorized or written down.
Know how to shut off utilities. Know the location of your gas shutoff valve and keep a wrench attached to the pipe or nearby. Know where the main water shutoff is. Post shutoff instructions at each location. After an earthquake, do not restore gas service yourself — call your utility company, as re-ignition requires professional inspection.
See which US states face the highest earthquake risk by exploring US state seismic data on PlainQuake.
Home Safety: Securing Your Space
Most earthquake injuries are caused not by structural collapse but by falling and sliding objects: toppled bookshelves, broken glass, fallen cabinets, and overturned heavy furniture. Securing your home's contents is one of the most cost-effective preparedness measures available.
- Secure tall furniture: Anchor bookshelves, dressers, armoires, and water heaters to wall studs using furniture straps. These are inexpensive and easy to install. A 6-foot bookshelf can seriously injure or kill if it falls.
- Move heavy objects to lower shelves: Relocate heavy items stored above head height to lower shelves, or secure them with museum putty, non-slip shelf liner, or museum wax.
- Secure overhead hazards: Ceiling-mounted light fixtures, hanging planters, and ceiling fans should be checked for secure mounting. Replace heavy glass light fixtures with lighter alternatives above beds.
- Position beds away from windows: Minimize sleeping under skylights or near large windows that could shatter.
- Evaluate your water heater: Water heaters are a common fire hazard after earthquakes — they can fall and rupture gas lines. Strap your water heater to wall studs with approved plumber's tape or commercial earthquake straps.
- Store flammables safely: Keep flammable liquids in closed, latching cabinets away from heat sources and water heaters.
During an Earthquake: Drop, Cover, Hold On
The single most important action you can take during earthquake shaking is to execute Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately — without hesitation. Studies of earthquake injuries consistently find that people who move or run during shaking suffer higher injury rates than those who shelter in place.
If you are indoors: Drop to your hands and knees. Get under a sturdy desk or table if one is nearby; if not, move to an interior wall away from windows. Cover your head and neck with your hands and forearms. Hold on until shaking completely stops — do not move until all motion has ceased. Most building damage occurs seconds after shaking begins, and most injuries occur to people who attempt to move during shaking.
If you are outdoors: Move away from buildings, utility lines, and trees. Crouch low and protect your head until the shaking stops. Glass and building façade debris can fall dozens of feet from a building — move well away from structures.
If you are in a vehicle: Pull over away from bridges, overpasses, power lines, and trees. Stay inside with your seatbelt on. Proceed cautiously after shaking stops, watching for road damage and fallen debris.
After an Earthquake: Immediate Actions
The minutes and hours after an earthquake are critical. Aftershocks — which can be nearly as large as the main quake — can occur within seconds of the main event or hours later. Expect them and respond by executing Drop, Cover, Hold On if shaking resumes.
- Check for injuries: Assess yourself and others. Provide first aid as needed. Do not move seriously injured people unless they face immediate life-threatening danger.
- Check for gas leaks: If you smell gas or hear hissing, open a window, leave the building, and call your gas company from outside. Do not use electrical switches, candles, or phones inside.
- Check for fires: Earthquakes cause fires from ruptured gas lines and overturned appliances. Check for and extinguish small fires. If a fire is growing, evacuate immediately.
- Inspect structural integrity before re-entering: If you evacuated, have your building inspected or visually check for major damage (cracked foundations, leaning walls, roof collapse) before re-entering. Do not enter a structurally suspect building.
- Monitor emergency broadcasts: Use battery-powered radio to receive FEMA, local emergency management, and utility instructions. Do not rely on social media for safety-critical information.
- Conserve water: City water systems can be damaged or contaminated. Use your stored water; do not flush toilets if pipes may be broken.
Building Safety: What to Know About Your Structure
The type and age of your building is the single greatest predictor of earthquake survival and safety. Modern engineered buildings in high-seismic states like California, Oregon, and Washington are designed to flex and absorb seismic energy without collapse. Older buildings — particularly unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings, pre-1980 concrete, and unbolted wood-frame homes — face significantly higher risk.
If you live in or near one of the highest-seismic-risk US states, explore local seismic history and frequency at PlainQuake US state pages. Compare earthquake rates across states and identify which regions have the most active seismic records. For building-specific risk, contact your local building department or a licensed structural engineer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important thing to do during an earthquake?
Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Drop to your hands and knees so the earthquake cannot knock you down. Take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or against an interior wall away from windows. Hold on to your shelter with one hand and be ready to move with it until the shaking stops. If no shelter is nearby, cover your head and neck with both arms. Stay indoors until the shaking stops — most injuries from earthquakes occur from falling debris and broken glass when people try to move or run outside during shaking.
How long should an earthquake emergency kit last?
FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend preparing for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) of self-sufficiency, though many emergency managers in high-risk areas like California now recommend 7-14 days. After a major earthquake, roads may be impassable, power may be out for weeks, water systems may be damaged, and emergency services may be overwhelmed. Water is the critical supply — 1 gallon per person per day is the minimum. For a family of four, a 7-day supply means 28 gallons of water stored safely, which is substantial.
What buildings are safest during an earthquake?
Modern wood-frame houses (built after 1970 in California, after 1990-2000 in other states) typically perform well in earthquakes because wood flexes rather than shattering. Modern reinforced concrete and steel-frame buildings engineered to current seismic codes are also safe. The most dangerous buildings are: unreinforced masonry (brick, stone, or concrete block buildings without steel reinforcement, common before 1933), "soft-story" apartment buildings with ground-floor parking or open spaces, and older concrete buildings without ductile reinforcement. In California, soft-story and non-ductile concrete buildings are being retrofitted by ordinance.
Should I stand in a doorway during an earthquake?
No — this is an outdated myth. Modern doorframes are no stronger than the rest of the structure and do not provide special protection. In a modern home, the doorway offers no advantage over simply dropping under a sturdy table or desk. The Drop-Cover-Hold On method is the universally recommended approach by USGS, FEMA, and the American Red Cross. The doorway myth originated from 19th-century adobe construction, where adobe arches over doorways were sometimes among the few surviving structural elements — but this has no relevance to modern construction.
How do I know if my home is earthquake safe?
The most important factors are: when the home was built (pre-1980 construction is more likely to need evaluation), what it is built from (wood-frame vs. masonry), whether it is bolted to its foundation (homes without colt bolts can slide off foundations), and whether the cripple walls (short wood-frame walls between foundation and first floor) are braced. A licensed structural engineer or professional home inspector trained in seismic evaluation can assess your specific property. California offers voluntary and mandatory retrofit programs. Check your city or county building department for local seismic retrofit requirements and incentive programs.
What should I do immediately after an earthquake?
First, check for injuries to yourself and others and provide first aid as needed. Second, check for hazards: gas leaks (smell of gas, hissing sounds — open windows, leave, call gas company), fire, chemical spills, or downed power lines. Third, if you smell gas, do not use electrical switches or open flames — leave immediately and call your utility from outside. Fourth, expect aftershocks — some can be nearly as strong as the main quake. Fifth, use battery-powered radio or your phone to receive emergency broadcasts. Sixth, check your structure for visible damage before re-entering. Seventh, document damage for insurance purposes before cleaning up.
Explore Earthquake Data
Related Guides
Sources
- FEMA — Basic Emergency Supply Kit and Earthquake Preparedness
- American Red Cross — Earthquake Safety Checklist
- USGS — ShakeOut Scenario and Earthquake Hazards Program
- California Governor's Office of Emergency Services — Brace and Bolt Program
- USGS ComCat — Earthquake Catalog Data 2005-2025
This guide is for general informational and educational purposes only. For official emergency preparedness guidance specific to your location, consult FEMA (ready.gov), your local emergency management agency, and the American Red Cross. Emergency preparedness recommendations may vary by region and specific seismic risk level.
