Earthquake Preparation

Shooby_IHB

Shooby_IHB

New member
As we all know, the Big One is expected in Southern California within the next 20-30 years. I believe the likelihood of this happening is 90%? Correct me if i'm wrong.



Anyway, having a conversation with some friends last night, we decided to formalize an evacuation/emergency plan if and when it does happen.



I'd like to hear all your opinions/tips for your emergency preparation.



Some thoughts-



-Have at least three gallons of water in the garage

-Camping gear including tent, folding chairs, at least one weapon (to deter looters), sleeping bag

-one week's worth of non-perishable food items

-emergency backpack containing flashlight, first aid, glow sticks, whistle, etc.

-extra socks and underwear and a pair of athletic shoes



Obviously this is a lot to just "grab and go" however if it's in a centralized location, it will definitely make things easier.



Lastly, anyone think Earthquake insurance is actually worth it?
 
- A LOT more water than that

- Battery operated am/fm radio

- Extra batteries

- Matches/lighters

- Knife

- Energy/granola bars

- Copy of The Great Housing Bubble
 
[quote author="Trooper" date=1231662006]- A LOT more water than that

- Battery operated am/fm radio

- Extra batteries

- Matches/lighters

- Knife

- Energy/granola bars

- Copy of The Great Housing Bubble</blockquote>


I usually pack a few candles, some of those light sticks and lots and lots of keys.

All those electrical operated gadgets that require keys... yea.... they ain't workin!



Ohh and just for the earthquake zombies! :lol:



-1600 rounds of 7.62x54r

-1000 9mm

-1000 .45 ACP
 
There are some good pre-packaged food/emergency kits out there, like <a href="http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?cat=77253&eCat=BC|3605|77253&lang=en-US&whse=BC&topnav;=">these from Costco.</a> Not all inclusive, but a very good start. I have a couple weeks' worth of emergency rations, plus there's usually enough canned and dry food on the kitchen rack at any given time to last another few weeks. I have a portable generator in the shed and cars to syphon gasoline from. I have some cases of bottled water, and the water heater holds 40 gallons, but to rely on it I assume I may have to close off the main line and be able to pressurize the tank with other means. No earthquake insurance for me, as the house needs to be torn down at some point anyway.
 
<img src="http://www.drunkenbleachers.com/blog/images/0214072.jpg" alt="" />



I'll be fine.



<em>(new season premieres Wednesday, January 21st 8/7c)</em>

[/shameless plug]
 
[quote author="Daedalus" date=1231675464]The water heater holds 40 gallons, but to rely on it I assume I may have to close off the main line and be able to pressurize the tank with other means.</blockquote>


Close off main water valve near your water meter to prevent backflow to the water main in the street.

Turn off the gas, if it's a gas water heater. Turn off the power if it's electric. (Don't want it to heat up after you've drained the water, but your gas or power gets restored.)

Open the highest-elevation hot water tap in the house so air can get into the system. (e.g., sink on top floor.)

Obtain water from drain valve located near the bottom of the water heater.

The first water drained will have sediment, scale, and rust in it that accumulated in the bottom of the water heater. Filter it through some cloth to remove the solids, but it's OK to drink afterwards.
 
Don't forget if you're short on urine, you can find yourself some elephant (or other animal?) dung to drink from.



<object width="325" height="250"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/youtube" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="325" height="250"></embed></object>
 
Those earthquake kits/bags are expensive and not really tailored to your personal needs (like if you wear contacts, you are going to need an extra pair in there and so on), but they are a good way to get started in terms of what people usually put in there.

I recently made earthquake kits for my familiy (1 for each family member, 1 for each car, and 1 for office and the biggest one for home). The contents are pretty much the same as a first aid kit plus clothes, flashlights, cash (coins are a must in case a cellular service is down), and a whistle (that is a must, if you get buried in a collapsed building's rubble, that's what you are going to wish you had), maps of the area, some canned and dry foods, and whatever else you can't live without.

Obviously, these earthquake kits are going to serve as general disaster kits no matter what happens.

When I owned a house, I had the earthquake insurance, which I think is a good thing to have, but if you rent, renter's insurance will be sufficient.
 
[quote author="skek" date=1231740507]<em>*skek can't wait for the new season of Man vs. Wild...*</em></blockquote>


Me too. I watch that and "Survivor Man" religiously. I think I find Survivor Man a little more authentic, though. That guy roughs it on his own without a camera crew along and he seems less "Hollywood" than Bear Grylls. Unfortunately, that series has produced its last show so just repeats from now on. They are both good shows.
 
What do you guys think the situation will be like? If the freeways are still intact, i'd imagine parking lot type traffic in efforts to get the heck out of so cal. Arizona and Nevada's population will triple over night.



No electricity, heat, running water. Back to the stone age. Can you guys imagine a few weeks without internet, cell phones, IHB???



Does everyone have an evacuation plan drawn up already?
 
I'm trying to stay off the phone to permit others to make phone calls for emergency purposes, but I did reach for the phone right as it ended to call my mother in the South Bay. She told me that it scared her more than the Northridge quake did. Of course, this one was closer to her (Hawthorne or Inglewood?) and not in the middle of the night. I added earthquake insurance about a month ago in light of the recent activity.
 
My husband literally felt it move under the house as he walked from one end of the house to another. I just heard an incredible "swoosh" in the fish tank in my son's dark room as I was putting him to bed, I didn't feel anything. Definitely no where near the one we had last summer.
 
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