The headline says it all

This morning Napa and SF were awakened by an Earthquake, and the headline read

"The Bay Area just got hit with its largest earthquake in 25 years".

So why is that important? I often hear people say things like "Earthquakes happen on a longer schedule, it may not happen in my lifetime".  Excuse me, I would like to point out that twice in 25 years is a pretty short life.  So for those of us in a seismic  area, can we all just change our posture a little and understand that it could happen in our lifetime (pretty sure I have at least 25 more years).

And for the rest of America and the world, Hurricanes, Cyclones, Tornadoes, house fires, forest fires, ice storms, power outages (I know I left some out) don't really have a "geological clock " so you need to prepare too.

So where to start, if you aren't a reader of mine here are some links to posts I have written on planning and preparation.

Northwest Quake - where will you be  

Can you find all your important documents...

MITIGATION

and my most recent post   Its about an investment......In your family's well being.

 Don't do everything today, but get started. tick,tick tick.

DisasterDave

 

MITIGATION

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disaster_mitigation#Mitigation

For the Government Mitigation can be many things, from buying back land to levees and other activities.  For you no levee building!

You do need to be involved in your own mitigation for your disaster risks. And we’ll come back to this from time to time. But for now think how can you lessen your chance of becoming affected by a hazard.

Many of us live in areas of great beauty, and in most cases, that means some sort of hazard.  Do I live in a hazard area? Yes. Seattle is in a seismic area. We have floods, and winter storms.  I do not live in a flood plain (and I live on the 4^th floor). I have mitigated what I can for earthquakes- live on solid ground, not too high, things tied down.

Do you live in a seismic area? If yes-

·         Is your heavy furniture bolted to the wall?

·         Catches on cabinets to keep doors closed?

·         No heavy things over your bed?

·         Is your hot water heater strapped to the wall?

Do you live in a flood area? If yes-

·         Is your home raised?

·         If you can’t keep the water out, can you help it pass through quickly?

·         Can you raise your valuables to a higher floor?

Is your hazard notice or no notice? That will make a difference as you move forward. Some things to think about...More to come

Disaster Dave