This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 8:25 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Less than an hour ago, My hometown of Los Angeles was rocked by yet another earthquake. If experience serves me, the actual magnitude will change over the next few days as news stations, eager to be first on the scene, report the best information they have at the moment. Immediate reports said 5.8, now it is down to 5.4.
My first earthquake in LA was the 1994 Northridge Quake. I had been living here for less than six months, and had conveniently chosen an apartment about a mile from the epicenter. For those of you who have not experienced a truly damaging earthquake, the experience is something that never leaves you. At the first hint of a tremor or rumble, your body stiffens, your pulse quickens and you freeze.
This one was particularly bad. Not because of the magnitute…it was really just kind of a gentle roller…but because, for the first time, I had a family. And we were all apart.
My wife was at home, Frankie was at daycare and I was at work. Once the rumbling subsided and my hands stopped shaking I tried to call. No service. I tried the land line. No service. And guess what? We had no plan. I didn’t think that it was a bad enough quake to cause any physical damage, but you never know. Sometimes it has to do with the type of fault and plate movement, as well as the depth and other factors. Regardless, I was worried beyond belief.
I promptly drove home, where Aline was fine and phone service had been restored. Frankie was ok, but they would be napping today with their shoes on, just in case. In twenty minutes, Aline and I drafted up a plan should the big one hit when we were all apart. Thats all it took, and we kicked ourselves for not having done it sooner. Tonight we will be going out to put together the earthquake kit that we have been meaning to get together for the last fourteen years.
Being unprepared for a natural disaster while responsible for the safety and well being of loved ones is not only lazy, it is just plain stupid. Thank god I get to redeem myself.
For a listing of high-risk earthquake areas and additional resources focusing on earthquake preparedness, here are some links:
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/earthquakes.shtm
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/preparedness.php
Los Angeles Fire Department Emergency Preparedness (PDF Download)
Matt
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July 29th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
I’m a local as well (the OC) and man was that a crazy earthquake. I too had family everywhere and of course the phones, land lines and cell were busy for a long time. Thank God for text messaging.
Going to be a run on earthquake supplies for the next couple of weeks.
Until the next one…..
Mikes last blog post..I Thought This Was Disney?
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July 29th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I’ve never been through an earthquake and have no desire to experience one. My life has been in the path of hurricanes (east cast) and tornadoes (midwest). Your point though is an excellent one. We probably aren’t as prepared as we should be. Thanks for the kick in the pants.
I’m relieved you all are safe and sound.
Chcuks last blog post..Blame it on the big kids
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July 30th, 2008 at 1:59 am
At least now you have a plan, that’s the important thing. I do the same thing with a fire/hurricane plan, I keep saying “We’ll get to it”, and we still haven’t. This may be the inspiration I need.
NukeDads last blog post..Lost My Ticket For The Clue Bus
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July 30th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Good advice on getting an emergency plan into place. While we don’t have quite the earthquake threat here in SC that you do, we have to prepare for hurricanes. With my parents in FL, we’ve always taken this seriously. I hope others will read your post and put plans in place for their emergencies, whatever they may be.
Beyond the Bellys last blog post..Quickie
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July 30th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I agree, Matt. I work right in the city and have attended courses on emergency preparedness when “the big one” hits Vancouver…supposedly there will be so much glass on the streets that no one will be able to go anywhere for days – that thought scares me waaaaay more than it did before I had kids.
That said, I still don’t have an emergency supply kit ready to go – thanks to this post, I’m on it
Huckdolls last blog post..You’re Weird…and I Love It
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July 31st, 2008 at 2:23 am
I hear ya! While we don’t have the worry of earthquakes in my neck of the woods, we’ve got the pleasure of hurricanes.
Emergency plans are a good thing to have. And beer for the hurricane parties.
Ok, I’m kidding.
(Not really.)
McMommys last blog post..Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies.
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July 31st, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I’ve experienced small earthquakes in Japan, and they always scared the crap out of me. I need to be prepared like I used to be because it can happen, even in Oregon, and it’s good to be prepared in general anyway. Good reminder.
maggies minds last blog post..Thursday Thirteen 7/31/08 – 28th Edition
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July 31st, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Being in Ohio, I’ve never had to worry about earthquakes. Instead, we get tornadoes. Thanks for the reminder about getting an emergency plan together.
Glad you are all okay!
Jennifers last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
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July 31st, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I was in 94 quake too… so yesterday brought back lots of memories.
glad all is well, but it’s good to have those reminders that we need to be ready.
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August 3rd, 2008 at 3:08 am
Ah, yes, family preparation for disaster ~ an oft discussed topic in our home. It surfaces with almost seasonal frequency.
15-years ago we lived in WA for 2 years and bolted all the bookshelves to the walls and stored diapers and Pedialyte. You know, the BIG ONE is still coming up there, with a sunami from Puget Sound.
After living safely in PA and WV for 3 years we returned to tornado-land. We really have no fear here – tornados only attack trailer parks in TX. However, Hubby insisted on multiple tanks of propane in anticipation of the disasters predicted at Y2K.
Then there are the unnatural disasters or terrorist threat. We spent days trying to figure-out the everyone-will-be-in-a-different-place when the world ends scenario. Turns-out that having the children stay-in-place, lockdowns, are the safest plans.
That’s what I recommend to anyone – check-out the disaster plan for your child’s school and your workplace.
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