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Earthquakes can strike with little warning, and the shaking itself may last only seconds. But the consequences can continue for hours, days, or longer. Broken utilities, damaged roads, fires, falling objects, disrupted communications, injuries, and aftershocks can quickly turn a short event into a much larger emergency.
Good earthquake preparedness isn’t about predicting when the next earthquake will happen. It’s about reducing the hazards around you, knowing how to protect yourself while the ground is moving, and having enough supplies and information to safely handle what comes afterward.
The best time to make those decisions is before anything starts shaking.
To understand the earthquake hazards where you live, the U.S. Geological Survey provides national seismic hazard maps and information about faults, ground shaking, and other earthquake-related hazards.
Know Your Earthquake Risk
Earthquakes aren’t limited to California. Seismic hazards exist across many parts of the United States, and the level of risk varies considerably by location.
Understanding your local risk helps you decide how much preparation your home and household may need. Consider:
- Local earthquake and seismic hazard maps
- Nearby faults
- Soil conditions
- Landslide risk
- Tsunami exposure if you live or travel near the coast
- The age and construction of your home
- Local emergency and evacuation plans
Knowing your risk doesn’t mean you need to live in fear of an earthquake. It simply helps you prepare for the hazards most likely to affect you.
Earthquake Preparedness Starts Inside Your Home
One of the most important earthquake preparations doesn’t go into an emergency kit at all.
Look around your home and ask a simple question:
What could fall, tip over, break, or block an exit if the room suddenly started shaking?
Tall bookcases, televisions, cabinets, mirrors, appliances, hanging objects, and other heavy furnishings can become hazards during strong shaking.
Walk through each room and look for items that could injure someone or prevent you from getting out afterward.
Secure Tall and Heavy Furniture
Bookcases, shelving units, cabinets, and other tall furniture should be properly secured where appropriate.
Pay particular attention to furniture located:
- Near beds
- Near couches and chairs
- In children’s rooms
- Along hallways
- Near doorways and exits
Move particularly heavy objects to lower shelves whenever possible.
Furniture anchors can help secure dressers, cabinets, bookcases, and other tall furniture that could tip during strong earthquake shaking.
Secure Cabinets and Breakable Items
Kitchen cabinets can open during strong shaking, sending dishes, glassware, food containers, and other objects onto the floor.
Consider securing cabinets that contain heavy or breakable items.
Store heavier objects lower rather than placing them on high shelves.
Also look for:
- Large mirrors
- Framed pictures
- Hanging light fixtures
- Televisions
- Computers and monitors
- Decorative shelving
- Heavy objects above beds
A few simple changes can significantly reduce the amount of dangerous debris inside a home after an earthquake.
Secure the Water Heater
A water heater is heavy enough to cause significant damage if it tips or breaks loose during an earthquake. Damaged gas or water connections can create additional hazards.
Check local building requirements and make sure the unit is properly braced or strapped for your area. If you’re uncertain about the installation, have a qualified professional inspect it.
Know Where Your Utilities Are
Every adult in the household should know where the main utility controls are located.
Know how to identify problems involving:
- Natural gas or propane
- Electricity
- Water
Keep the appropriate tools accessible if your utility system requires them.
Do not automatically shut off natural gas simply because an earthquake occurred. Follow instructions from your utility and local emergency officials, and take action when there are signs of a leak or other damage. Never use matches, candles, or other open flames to investigate a suspected gas leak.
Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On
When strong shaking begins, you may have only seconds to react.
That’s why everyone in the household should know what to do without having to stop and think about it.
The standard protective action is:
DROP onto your hands and knees so the shaking is less likely to knock you down.
COVER your head and neck and, if possible, get underneath a sturdy table or desk.
HOLD ON to your shelter until the shaking stops.
If a table or desk isn’t nearby, protect your head and neck while positioning yourself away from windows and objects that could fall.
Don’t run outside while the building is shaking. Falling glass, masonry, signs, and other debris can make areas immediately outside buildings especially dangerous.
And forget the old advice about automatically standing in a doorway. Modern doorways generally aren’t safer than other parts of the structure. USGS continues to recommend Drop, Cover, and Hold On as the primary protective action during earthquake shaking.
What to Do During an Earthquake
Your response will depend partly on where you are when the shaking begins.
If You’re Indoors
Stay inside during the shaking.
Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
Stay away from:
- Windows
- Exterior walls
- Tall furniture
- Large appliances
- Hanging objects
- Glass
- Fireplaces and masonry
If you’re in bed, staying there and protecting your head and neck with a pillow may be safer than trying to cross a room filled with falling objects or broken glass.
If you’re in a high-rise building, don’t use elevators during the emergency.
If You’re Outdoors
Move to an open area if you can safely do so.
Try to stay away from:
- Buildings
- Power lines
- Trees
- Streetlights
- Signs
- Walls
- Other objects that could fall
Once you’re in a safer location, stay there until the shaking stops.
If You’re Driving
Slow down and safely pull over.
Avoid stopping:
- On bridges
- Under overpasses
- Beneath power lines
- Near large signs
- Under trees
- Next to structures that could collapse
Set the parking brake and remain inside the vehicle until the shaking stops.
When you begin driving again, proceed carefully. Roads, bridges, pavement, traffic signals, and utility lines may have been damaged. USGS specifically advises drivers to watch for damaged pavement, fallen rocks, and other hazards after shaking.
Build an Earthquake Emergency Supply Kit
A major earthquake can interrupt electricity, water, transportation, stores, communications, and emergency services.
Your household should have enough supplies to remain as self-sufficient as reasonably possible while those systems recover.
At minimum, consider:
- Drinking water
- Shelf-stable food
- Manual can opener
- First-aid supplies
- Prescription medications
- Flashlights and headlamps
- Spare batteries
- Emergency radio
- Phone charging equipment and power banks
- Work gloves
- Sturdy shoes
- Dust masks
- Emergency blankets
- Hygiene and sanitation supplies
- Copies of important documents
- Cash in small denominations
- Local paper maps
- Pet supplies
- Supplies for infants, older adults, or household members with disabilities
Don’t store everything where falling debris could make it inaccessible. If possible, distribute essential supplies so one damaged closet or room doesn’t eliminate your entire emergency stockpile.
For a step-by-step starting point for building your household emergency supplies, use our guide, Start Here: Your 72-Hour Preparedness Plan.
Water Becomes a Major Priority After an Earthquake
Damage to pipes and water systems can disrupt normal household water supplies.
Stored drinking water should therefore be a major part of earthquake preparedness.
Keep water in appropriate containers and rotate supplies according to the container or manufacturer’s recommendations. Consider additional water needs for pets, cooking, sanitation, and medical requirements.
A portable water filter can provide another treatment option for suitable freshwater sources, but it shouldn’t replace stored drinking water.
A compact water filter can provide an additional treatment option when stored water begins running low or normal water service remains disrupted.
Prepare for Power and Communication Outages
Electricity and cellular service may be unreliable following a damaging earthquake.
Keep several independent ways to receive information and maintain basic communication.
Useful options include:
- Battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio
- Portable power banks
- Vehicle charging equipment
- Flashlights
- Headlamps
- Spare batteries
An emergency radio can be particularly valuable when internet access or cellular networks are unavailable or overloaded.
A hand-crank emergency radio with NOAA weather reception gives you another way to receive official information when power and normal communications are disrupted.
Keep important phone numbers written on paper as well. A dead or damaged phone shouldn’t eliminate your only copy of critical contact information.
Keep First Aid Supplies Accessible
Earthquakes can produce injuries from broken glass, falling objects, damaged furniture, and debris.
Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit somewhere that is likely to remain accessible.
A comprehensive first-aid kit can help you handle cuts, scrapes, minor burns, and other basic injuries while professional medical services may be delayed.
Work gloves and sturdy shoes are also important. Broken glass, nails, splintered wood, damaged drywall, and other sharp debris may cover floors and walkways after strong shaking.
Keep sturdy shoes near your bed if you live in an earthquake-prone area. You don’t want your first steps after a nighttime earthquake to be barefoot across broken glass.
What to Do Immediately After the Shaking Stops
When the shaking ends, don’t assume the emergency is over.
Take a moment to assess what’s around you.
Check for Injuries
Check yourself first, then others.
Provide basic first aid when appropriate and seek professional medical assistance for serious injuries as soon as services are available.
Expect Aftershocks
Aftershocks can occur following a larger earthquake.
Some may be strong enough to damage already weakened buildings or knock additional objects loose.
Be prepared to Drop, Cover, and Hold On again.
Put On Protective Clothing
Before moving through a damaged area, put on:
- Sturdy shoes
- Long pants
- Long sleeves
- Work gloves
Durable work gloves can help protect your hands while moving debris, handling damaged materials, or navigating areas with broken glass and sharp objects.
Watch carefully for glass, nails, unstable furniture, damaged ceilings, and other debris.
Check for Fire and Utility Damage
Look and listen for indications of damaged utilities.
Potential warning signs include:
- Smell of gas
- Hissing sounds
- Sparks
- Damaged electrical wiring
- Broken water lines
- Visible structural damage
If you suspect a gas leak, avoid flames and anything that could create a spark. Leave the area and follow instructions from your gas utility, fire department, or emergency officials.
Don’t enter severely damaged areas simply to retrieve possessions.
Use Flashlights Instead of Open Flames
Power outages can leave homes completely dark after an earthquake.
Use flashlights or headlamps rather than candles or other open flames. Damaged gas lines or leaking fuels may create fire hazards that aren’t immediately obvious.
A headlamp is especially useful after an earthquake because it provides hands-free lighting while checking for damage, providing first aid, or moving through a darkened home.
If Your Home Is Damaged
Not every earthquake requires evacuation.
But you should be prepared to leave if your home becomes unsafe because of structural damage, fire, leaking utilities, landslide danger, tsunami risk, or instructions from authorities.
Keep your bug-out bags and essential documents somewhere reasonably accessible.
If evacuation becomes necessary, take:
- Medications
- Essential medical equipment
- Identification
- Important documents
- Phones and chargers
- Water
- Appropriate clothing
- Pet supplies
- Your portable emergency kit
Don’t delay leaving an unsafe structure simply to collect replaceable belongings.
If earthquake damage forces you to leave home, our guide, Bugging Out: How to Build an Emergency Evacuation Plan, walks through destinations, evacuation routes, transportation, family communication, and the decisions to make before an emergency.
Coastal Earthquakes Require an Additional Plan
If you live, work, vacation, or travel near the coast, earthquake preparedness should include tsunami awareness.
Strong or prolonged earthquake shaking near the coast can be a natural tsunami warning.
Other possible natural warning signs include unusual ocean behavior, such as water rapidly receding or a loud ocean roar.
If you experience natural tsunami warning signs, don’t wait around for additional confirmation before taking protective action. Follow local tsunami evacuation guidance and move toward designated safe areas, higher ground, or farther inland as appropriate for your location.
A tsunami may arrive within minutes following natural warning signs, which is why immediate action can be critical.
Know the evacuation route before you need it.
This is especially important when visiting unfamiliar coastal communities. Take a moment to locate tsunami evacuation signs and determine where you would go if strong shaking occurred.
Don’t Forget Pets
Earthquake planning should include every animal in the household.
Keep a pet emergency kit containing appropriate supplies such as:
- Food
- Water
- Medications
- Leash or harness
- Carrier when appropriate
- Waste supplies
- Vaccination and veterinary information
- Identification information
- Familiar comfort item
Know where frightened animals may hide after strong shaking.
Pets may behave differently during an emergency, so having carriers and leashes readily accessible can make evacuation much easier.
Plan for Children, Older Adults, and People With Disabilities
Emergency plans need to work for the people actually living in the home.
Consider whether anyone depends on:
- Prescription medication
- Refrigerated medication
- Mobility equipment
- Oxygen
- Hearing aids
- Medical devices
- Caregivers
- Service animals
- Specialized transportation
- Communication assistance
Keep backup power or supplies where appropriate, and include those requirements in your household emergency plan.
Children should also participate in earthquake drills in a calm, age-appropriate way so Drop, Cover, and Hold On becomes familiar rather than something they’re hearing for the first time during an actual earthquake.
Create a Family Communication Plan
Household members may be at work, school, shopping, or traveling when an earthquake occurs.
Choose an out-of-area contact who can serve as a communication point if local communications are disrupted.
Everyone should know:
- Who to contact
- Where to meet
- Who may pick up children
- How to handle pets
- Where emergency supplies are stored
- Where household utility controls are located
- When evacuation may be necessary
Write the plan down rather than relying entirely on phones.
Download the Earthquake Preparedness Checklist
A preparedness plan works better when you can actually check off what has been completed.
Our printable Earthquake Preparedness & Home Safety Checklist will help you work through home hazards, emergency supplies, family planning, utility preparation, pet needs, and post-earthquake safety.
Practice Before the Earthquake
Buying emergency gear isn’t the same as being prepared.
At least periodically, practice what your household would actually do.
Run a Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill.
Then ask:
- Could everyone get to a safer position quickly?
- What objects could fall?
- Could anything block an exit?
- Can everyone find the emergency supplies?
- Do children know what to do?
- Can you locate the utility controls?
- Do you have working flashlights?
- Are medications current?
- Are emergency contacts up to date?
- Could you evacuate with your pets?
- Do you know your coastal tsunami route if applicable?
Practicing earthquake drills before an emergency helps everyone in the household become familiar with the protective actions they should take when shaking begins.
Earthquake Preparedness Is About What You Do Before the Shaking Starts
An earthquake may give you little or no time to prepare once it begins.
That’s why the work you do beforehand matters.
Secure hazards inside the home. Store water and emergency supplies. Keep first aid and lighting accessible. Learn Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Make a family communication plan. Understand your utilities. Know whether your location has additional risks such as landslides or tsunamis.
Then practice.
You can’t prevent the ground from shaking, but you can make your home safer, give your household a clear plan, and put yourself in a much better position to handle the hours and days that follow.