Worth a read and maybe make sure you have your preparations updated.
“Last big Cascadia earthquake struck 316 years ago today”
The Red Cross recommends that people take the following steps to prepare for an earthquake: • Practice “drop, cover and hold on” in each safe place. If you do not have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
• Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed in case the earthquake strikes in the middle of the night.
• Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances, bookcases, china cabinets and tall furniture to wall studs.
• Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.
• Keep and maintain an emergency supply kit in an easy-to-access location.
Also, I read years ago, an article by a guy who was first on the scene in the San Francisco Earthquake of 1989. He said that he found the three things he needed the most were:
- Leather gloves
- Heavy work boots (for walking on broken windows, doors, wood with nails in it)
- Crowbar
All these things can be kept in the trunk of a car, or out in an RV if you have one. I’ve always carried a short crow bar, and leather gloves in my car, and usually try to stuff a pair of older boots in as well.