It’s hard to believe that it was 20 years ago when Loma Prieta struck its fist above the earth and caused many deaths, fires, and fear throughout the region. Anyone who lived through it can tell you exactly what they were doing when it hit. It’s the last time our two baseball teams were in the World Series together, too. Perhaps we should keep that in mind when wishing for another Bay Bridge World Series!
This is a good time to remind you about earthquake safety. If you think this subject isn’t worth your time reading about, let me show you what can happen with a severe quake, the kind they’re anticipating again in the Bay Area. Much of this area is subject to liquefaction so pay attention. This kind of damage happens in an instant and we may, once again, be without power for a while so it’s important to have a safety kit handy.
The apartment building shown here, courtesy of the Merced Sun Star, was once 3 stories high with garage space under the first floor. A typical building found throughout San Francisco even today. Fire, collapse, and devastation were what was left.
How can you prevent this? You can’t. If you want to live in the Bay Area, this is Earthquake Country. In fact, the entire west coast is earthquake prone so there’s really no place to go to avoid it if you want to live here.
I’ve certainly written about earthquakes over the year, always around anniversary times either in April or October. Here’s something to help you with pet safety and here’s something on what to do to protect yourself and your family for the few days after the quake. And, whether you should buy earthquake insurance. I’ve written about the Great Quake of 1906 in San Francisco, too. It’s a subject near and dear to my heart, so please take note I’m serious about this subject
This subject is serious business and one that you should not ignore. Get some simple supplies in a large container and make sure that container is easy to reach, just in case your home collapses during the quake. Inside that box should be the following:
- Fresh water (enough for 3 days)
- Food that doesn’t require refrigeration or heat
- Canned juices
- Dried foods and milk if you have children
- Food bars – protein bars are the best
- Toilet paper
- Paper Towels
- Tissues
- A First Aide Kit
- Blankets
- Pet food if you have pets
- Emergency blankets
- Can opener (manual)
- Emergency radio – either wind up or one that requires batteries and if you use batteries make sure they’re fresh
- Flash lights
- Matches
- Rubber gloves
- Sanitizing wipes
- Dust masks
- A roll of Plastic sheeting or a small tent
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Pet containers nearby for your pet’s safety
- Gas wrench for turning off your gas line should you smell gas. DO NOT do this unless you smell gas because it will take PG&E a while to turn it back on if you didn’t need to do this.