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John Cletheroe's
USA and Canada Holiday Hints |
Earthquakes can neither be predicted nor prevented.
California and Alaska are the US states most liable to earthquakes but significant earthquakes have occurred over the last two hundred years in other states, mainly in the west.
Phone books often contain information on actions to take during an earthquake.
Underwater earthquakes often cause tsunami (tidal waves).
If you are outside, get into the open, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys and anything else that might fall on you.
If you are driving, stop, but carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. Do not stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, lampposts, power lines or overhead road signs. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops. When you resume driving watch for breaks in the road surface, fallen rocks and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.
If you are in a mountainous area, watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.
In a house or apartment, do not turn on the gas again if you turned it off. Let the gas company do it.
Do not use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment or appliances until you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire.
Do not use your telephone except for a medical or fire emergency. You could tie up the lines needed for emergency response. If the phone doesn't work send someone for help.
Do not expect firefighters, police or paramedics to help you. They may not be available.
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Most recently modified 26-Mar-01