The Desert IndependentTM

Serving Blythe, California & the Desert Regions of the Southwest

Earthquake Preparedness Begins at Home!

March 17, 2011

The loss of life and property as a result of last week’s 9.0 magnitude earthquake and catastrophic tsunami in Japan has left all of us reeling. The tsunami was so powerful that it reached the Northern California coastline where it damaged boats, harbors and docks.

Earthquakes are unpredictable. They can be an unsettling and scary event. Think of how frightening it would be to not be prepared! Californians are all too familiar with the power of earthquakes; it is a way of life.

We would all like to think we are prepared for an earthquake, but how prepared are you- Does your family have an earthquake kit with enough supplies to sustain yourselves for up to 7-10 days following a large-scale earthquake? Does everyone in your home know how to shut off the gas or water main? Do you have an ample supply of medication, water, food, clothing, batteries and other basic needs to see your family through until utilities are restored? If you are away from home and unable to reach your family after an earthquake, will they know what to do?

The Riverside County Fire Department Website has a user-friendly Emergency Survival Program (ESP) guide that offers a multitude of disaster preparedness tips and informational resources for earthquakes, floods, wild land fires and other disasters to ensure that our residents and visitors are informed and ready it’s not IF, it’s WHEN.

While you’re planning your family earthquake kit, why not take a moment to sign up for the Early Warning Notification System (EWNS)? This alert system is free of charge and is used to notify affected residents of life-safety instructions during a major disaster. Landline phones are already in the system, but residents can sign-up three cell phones to receive notifications in the event of a major emergency.