Many people in the Coachella Valley felt the 3.7 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter near Anza, California. Although considered a small earthquake, it is a reminder to familiarize yourself with the three responses to reduce your injuries and save your life in case of a much greater, dangerous earthquake.
- DROP where you are onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.
- COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows). Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.
- HOLD ON until shaking stops. Under shelter: hold on to your shelter with one hand; be ready to move with it if it shifts. No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.
The annual Great California Shake Out will occur on October 21, 2021. It is the world’s largest earthquake drill. If you would like to participate and/or organize a group for the drill, then go to: https://www.shakeout.org/california/register/index.php?start=california
You can also download the “MyShake” app on your Apple (iOS) or Android phones to get an early warning of an earthquake of 4.5 magnitude or larger. Simply go to your app store on your phone or tablet and download it for free. Cal OES, in collaboration with the California Integrated Seismic Network Partners from United States Geological Survey (USGS), University of California – Berkeley (UCB), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and California Geological Survey (CGS) launched the nation’s first State Earthquake Early Warning System in October of 2019. The system uses ground motion sensors and sensors in smartphones to detect an earthquake before humans can feel it and issues a ShakeAlert® Message in real time so they can take cover before shaking happens. An earthquake warning can provide additional life-saving seconds for people to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
For more information and tips to survive an earthquake, go to: https://www.shakeout.org/california/dropcoverholdon
