Many of us in the South Skyline area live directly on top of the San Andreas Fault. The region has experienced major earthquakes in 1838, 1868, 1906, and 1989, and future large earthquakes are a certainty. The USGS estimates a 72% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake in the Greater Bay Area before 2043.
Additional resources: Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country
What to Do During an Earthquake
If you are indoors:
- Drop, cover, and hold on. Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place — most injuries happen when people move more than 5 feet during shaking.
- If you are elderly or can’t move easily, stay where you are and brace yourself.
- If you are in bed, stay there. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow. Broken glass on the floor may injure you.
- Stay away from windows. Stay indoors until the shaking stops.
Indoors after the shaking stops:
- Check for and extinguish small fires. Fire alarms and sprinklers often go off during earthquakes even without fire.
- Check doors for heat before opening.
- Exit only if it is safe to do so. Use stairs.
If you are outdoors:
- Drop to the ground away from buildings, trees, street lights, and power lines.
- If in a vehicle, stop away from trees, power lines, poles, and overpasses. Stay with your seat belt fastened until shaking stops.
Outdoors after the shaking stops:
- Proceed with caution, avoiding potentially damaged bridges or ramps.
- Tsunami risk in Northern California is low. The highest surge ever recorded on this coast was about 10 feet. Unless you are in Princeton, downtown Pescadero, or at the beach, no action is needed. If you are in those areas, walk uphill and wait.
- Do not drive to evacuate — the roads will jam and block emergency vehicles.
If you are away from home:
- Return only when authorities say it is safe.
General Tips
- Expect aftershocks — minutes, days, weeks, or months later. When you feel one, drop, cover, and hold on.
- Watch for falling rocks and debris in mountainous areas or near cliffs.
- If there is no electricity, use a battery-operated or hand-cranked radio for emergency information.
- Watch for fallen power lines and broken gas lines.
- Put on long pants, long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves before moving through debris.
Checking Your Home
- Check for loose plaster, drywall, and ceilings that could fall. Do not smoke.
- If you smell gas or hear hissing, open windows and get everyone out immediately. Turn off gas or propane.
- Clean up spilled bleach, gasoline, or other flammables.
- Check your electrical system. If you see sparks or frayed wires, or smell burning, turn off electricity at the main breaker. Do not step in water.
- Check sewer, septic, and water lines. If you suspect sewer damage, avoid using toilets. If you suspect water line damage, use stored water.
- Use 9-1-1 only for serious injuries, fires, or damage. Use your Neighborhood Communication Plan or Ham radio to contact neighbors and request assistance.
Helping Your Neighbors
- Use your Neighborhood Communications plan to conduct welfare checks and damage assessment.
- Check for structural problems, gas smell, and smoke from outside before approaching.
- If safe, give first aid. Use trained CERT members when available.
- If no outside assistance is coming, transport seriously injured persons to the MROSD Skyline Field Office or the Las Cumbres Community Center.
- Help neighbors shut off damaged utilities, suppress small fires, and clean up chemical hazards.
- Report neighborhood status to your Neighborhood Emergency Coordinator.
Assessing Your Animals
- Pet behavior may change dramatically. Try to calm them and keep them under control.
- Check animals for injuries and hazards at nose and paw level — debris, spilled chemicals, etc.
- Check enclosures for damage.