Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Tips Updated 2024

Updated: September 12th, 2024

The earthquake just hit at 7:28 am, while I was having some coffee, here in Southern California. It was centered in Malibu.

I felt it in the Belmont Shore neighborhood of Long Beach, California. It was 4.7 per the US Geological Survey.

You can research more information at M 4.7 – 7 km N of Malibu, CA (usgs.gov)

In the Past…

On August 12th, 2024, there was an earthquake of 4.4 near Highland Park, California.

Back when I was in College at Cal State Long Beach, my mom was a Realtor® in Downey.  She went to a seminar about earthquake preparedness.   When she was there, she bought 3 preparedness kits.

One kit was for her and the other two were for my dad and me.  She told us to put it in the car just in case.

She figured we spent so much time in the car, that it was the best thing to keep handy just in case of emergency.  I kept that kit for years in the back end of my car.  

I think I need a new one now after the recent earthquakes in Ridgecrest, California.

Earthquakes on July 4th, 2019 and July 5th, 2019

I wasn’t expecting an earthquake on July 4th, 2019, and neither were the residents of Ridgecrest, California.  A 6.4 earthquake is big news in Southern California.  Just like the 7.1 earthquake on July 5th. 

I noticed my home moving and I’m 125 miles south of Ridgecrest in the Belmont Shore neighborhood in Long Beach, California.

I wanted to make sure I wasn’t losing my mind, so I looked at the mini blinds and waited for it to end.  My friend in Las Vegas, Nevada felt the 2nd big quake.

After the quake was over, I remember my mom buying me an earthquake preparedness kit.  But I didn’t have one after the quake.  

Where was the kit?

I threw it out over 10 years ago and just never bought another one.  That will be changing this weekend.

You just never know what or when something is going to happen.

Always Be Prepared for an Earthquake in California

The experts like FEMA, which stands for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will tell you to be prepared to handle a disaster ahead of time.  I read many articles that say 3 days.

I say 10 days.

Do you expect your government and local officials to be that prepared?  There are over 450,000 residents in Long Beach, California.  I may be home or out showing homes in another city when another earthquake or a natural disaster occurs.   

Always be prepared.

Create a family communication plan as to what do to when each member is out of the home and an earthquake happens.  Plan to meet somewhere if you are separated.  Or call someone out of state who can be your check-in person.

Review earthquake insurance policies.

Over-prepare yourself and stay mindful of what is going on around you at all times.  

Earthquakes can cause fires, damage roads, bridges, landslides, and tsunamis.

Earthquake Preparedness Checklist

Earthquake Apps for Your Phone

I have an Android phone and install Earthquake Alert.  It helps me to see where the earthquake was or is happening.  I only check it after one hit.

We rarely have earthquakes.  At least that is how it has been feeling until July 4th & 5th,2019.  Then, bam.  It wasn’t bad in Long Beach since we were so far away.  Just a long rolling motion on July 5th that lasted over 30 seconds.  I checked on my neighbors after it was over.

What Do You Need in an Earthquake Kit?

I like the store-bought Emergency Earthquake Preparedness Kits ones like these I found on Amazon.com.  I would store a couple of cases of water and some healthy food bars to last about 10 days.  The link above to Amazon will give you some complete kits to invest in for any future events.

Flashlight One article I read recommended a solar flashlight and radio combo.  

Radio is the key to finding out what is going on.  I checked Twitter when something happens, but cell service might go out and I will be without the internet…oh no… can I survive?

I believe so.

But I will need water.

I have a friend who was always prepared.  He and his wife bought 10 gallons of water to last 10 days instead of the 3 days that most so-called experts say you should have.  Go for more.  You may have neighbors that need your help.

What Should You Do When The Earthquake Hits?

• Drop to your hands and knees.

• Cover your head and neck and look for coverage. 

• Look for Shelter.  Like under a sturdy table or desk.  Hold on.  Not a doorway.

• If you are in a high-rise building, expect the alarms to go off.  Don’t use the elevator.

• Always have an extra pair of tennis shoes near your bed and in the car.  Comfortable shoes will be critical.

• If you run outside, then you have to watch for falling items, broken glass and possible live electrical wires.

• Find a safe place inside your home until the shaking has stopped.

• Assess your home.  What is broken?  Do you smell gas or is something on fire?

• If you smell gas, use a wrench to shut off the value.  If there is a fire, look for the fire extinguisher and put it out.  Calling 911 may not be an option depending on how big the earthquake was and how many people are affected.

• Don’t run outside.   

• If you are outside, stay outside.

• If you are in your car, pull over and stop.

Secure Items in Your Home

Anything that is hanging on the wall, you need to secure to the wall.  If you have a big piece of furniture up against a wall, figure out how to secure it.  

When the earth shakes, everything does.

I was watching a TV show where they were interviewing Lucy Jones of CalTech.  She was in charge of earthquake research.  You will see her interviewed by the media the most as an authority on earthquakes.  In this show, she said that when she buys a home, she gets the foundation reinforced and retrofitted structurally.  You may want to get some estimates from a retrofit or foundation company to protect your home.

Resources for Earthquake Preparedness to Research Now

Ready.gov will give you some great tips and strategies for earthquake preparedness as I shared above.

Southern California Earthquake Center studies and tracks earthquakes in the state.  They have some great articles and a recent earthquake tracker or ticker.

Cal Tech Tracking Guide – the California Institute of Technology – learn about the seismology laboratory and research. 

• Read their Frequently Asked Questions section.

Wikipedia.org has a lot of great information on Earthquakes and the history of them here in California.

The USGS, United States Geological Survey.  This scientific group studies the landscape of the USA, natural resources, and any hazards.  They have some good resources about being prepared for an earthquake.

The 7 Steps to Earthquake Safety is a quick, 1-page, guide on how to be safe and what do to ahead of time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Earthquakes

External Website Links That You Might Find Helpful for Earthquake Preparedness

The Great Shakeout

Earthquake Safety Videos on YouTube