Since 2001, it has become, for many, more of an issue to be ready for terrorism than it is for the natural hazards that our communities have faced all along.  Many preparedness actions are common regardless of the hazard we are preparing for. 

Earthquakes present special problems in response and recovery in the early hours and days. In some areas of Kentucky there is a ratio of 1 emergency response person to every 150 citizens. In a major earthquake, the numbers of people and locations in need of assistance could overwhelm our response system. Cities, of course, are most at risk from this danger as the larger populations and larger buildings increase the odds of this to alarming figures. Rural areas cannot be overlooked however, as in many areas, particularly during daytime hours, fire, EMS and often police coverage are at minimum levels as local volunteers have gone to their jobs in nearby cities and towns. These rural volunteer responders, if caught by the earthquake, in these towns and cities may find it impossible to return home for extended periods. Likewise, any family may be caught in the same situation and if phone systems are down, lack of communications to verify the well being of family members may be of almost debilitating concern.

A major earthquake would have a terrible effect on the infrastructure that we depend upon daily!  Power, telephone, internet, and cellular communications may be lost for days to weeks in some areas. Natural gas lines crisscross Kentucky in underground networks running in all directions and should any of these lines rupture during a quake the explosion risk will be only one of the resulting problems as heating fuel may be cut to areas far removed from our state.  If this occurred during winter months, the entire nation could be brutally affected.

Buildings would not be the only victims of structural damage. Bridges, overpasses and dams may suffer damage to the extent of being either unsafe for use or collapse. Few man made structures of any kind within our state were built with earthquake survivability in mind.  Sound hopeless? Not quite. IF we realize the threats and associated dangers and plan for action NOW, BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE. Let’s examine steps you can take to turn the odds a little more in favor of you and your family.

All families should have a good Family Disaster Plan. If you do not, begin by looking at the lifestyle of you and your family members. Talk with your employers about disasters plans at the workplace. What do they expect of you if you are at work during a disaster? What if you are away from work when one occurs? If you have children in school you may want to review the school system’s disaster plans. Are they going to hold the children at school, try to send them home or what? Next talk with family members about what will likely happen in these situations. Make sure all understand what they can expect to occur in all situations. Plan with family members the action steps to take in case a fire occurs in the home. Also don't forget severe storm and earthquake safety measures regarding where to go and what to do for each. Discuss how you can make contact with one another if phones, e-mail and pagers are not functioning.  Designate two family members who live at great distances from you who know they are to serve as information points in case long distance service will work. Be sure children know how to make these long distance calls without money.

Make sure all responsible family members know how to shut off the water, gas, electricity etc. and know how to use a fire extinguisher. Consider having these responsible family members take first aid and CPR courses if they have not already done so. Plan for the care of your pets and identify neighbors who may need assistance in a disaster. Review your plans regularly with all family members. Plan and build a family disaster supplies kit using a 72-hour period as a bare minimum time frame. Longer time periods would be better. Plan one gallon of water per day per family member. Remember to rotate this every 3-6 months so you always have a fresh supply. At my house, we date our containers with a marker showing the date of purchase and use the oldest first while always replacing it with new.  Store non-perishable food items which require minimal or no cooking, eating and drinking utensils and manual bottle and can openers. Also keep either a supply of water purification tablets, 2 % tincture of iodine or household bleach on hand for additional water purification needs.

Heating sources such as “Canned Heat”, camp stoves etc. are nice additions but carry added dangers from explosion hazards to carbon monoxide poisoning which require extra caution in their use. Don't forget battery operated radios and/or TV's, flashlights and extra batteries for all such items.  Matches in waterproof containers can be a blessing, away from gas leaks of course. Work gloves, shovels, wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers can be helpful items. Extra clothes and bedding, sturdy work shoes, rain gear and sleeping bags can make disaster extremes a little more pleasant. Small items such as towels, washcloths, sewing kits, shaving kits and writing materials may sound like small concerns now, but could be important in a disaster environment. Don't forget extra supplies of medications and first aid supplies. Some extra cash and your important papers need to be stored in a safe location as well. Photographs in a safe deposit box can be very important in settling damage claims with either insurance or disaster assistance workers.

Bookcases can be mounted to walls with lag bolts to keep them upright. Water heaters can be fastened to the wall with plumbers tape to prevent their overturning. TV's, computers and other devices can be secured to tables with Velcro and poster putty, which can be removed later with a minimum of mess. Ceiling hooks can have tape crossed over them to help their cargos stay put. Breakables can be kept in place with either a shelf edging or even rubber cement. Rigid supply lines on stoves and other appliances can be replaced with reinforced flexible lines that will move more freely without severing. The easiest way to handle the problem of heavy items over beds is to simply move the to other locations and reinforce them with some poster putty to their reverse side. Small hooks can keep cabinet and closet doors closed and their contents contained. Roofs can be reinforced with plywood and 2 x 4 timbers in the attic to prevent collapse from chimney failure or other flying objects. With a few dollars and a little work on your part you have just reduced your chances of being injured in an earthquake to a large degree.

Do not run outside when an earthquake begins. You are far safer staying inside as many are killed or injured by falling masonry and other debris. Drop, Cover and Hold. Get under sturdy furniture like a desk or table if possible, tuck your head and place your hands over you neck and head. If that is not possible, brace yourself in a doorway being mindful of any doors that may swing closed or position yourself against an interior wall and cover you head and neck with your hands. Wait until the shaking stops before moving. Remember that many aftershocks can follow in the hours and days after an earthquake. Some may be small tremors while others may be as strong or even stronger than the initial quake.  If you are outside during the quake, try to move into an open area away from buildings trees and utility lines.  Drop, Cover and Hold until the quake subsides. In a vehicle, pull off the roadway and remain in the automobile until things settle down. Watch for downed utility lines and damaged roadways, overpasses and bridges in your path.

After the quake you will want to check for injuries and property damage around you. Keep an eye out for gas leaks and water line breaks. Use the phone ONLY if you have an emergency requiring immediate attention. Otherwise stay off the lines as overloading can shut down any phone system that may still be working. Do not be surprised if the system is already down. Check your radio or portable TV to get general information on the incident.  Many of these suggestions (to include the family disaster plan and emergency supplies kit) will be useful in any emergency!  If you have not already made these arrangements, consider doing so soon.  The 5.2 R Earthquake in April of 2008 reminds us that we do live in a region where quakes are serious business.