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Getting serious about earthquake safety
by Roger Faris
The geology of our region reveals signs of a huge earthquake which apparently occurred on January 26th in the year 1700. The powerful shockwaves came from sudden subduction zone movement of two sections of the earth's crust. The people of the Puget Sound area must have been terrified by several minutes of severe ground movement accompanied by landslides, enormous waves, and abrupt changes in the elevation of familiar landmarks. This was a major event that geologists believe is repeated here every few hundred years.
Recent earthquakes in our area have been more moderate, but still scary and destructive. Since 1872 we have experienced five earthquakes which have been between 6.0 and 7.4 on the Richter scale. They occur at intervals which range from ten to about forty years. The last of these was in 1965. We would seem to be about due for another one.
Richard Gelb works for the King County Division of Emergency Management. His job is to be ready to respond appropriately to floods, fires, severe storms, hazardous materials spills, earthquakes, and other disasters. He wakes up each morning with a keen awareness of how an ordinary day can suddenly become something more memorable. Our high risk potential is a result of our address on planet earth. We, in Seattle, live on the Pacific Rim of Fire.
Richard spends some of his spare time talking with groups, such as the Phinney Neighborhood Association Earthquake Preparedness Committee, about what can be done before, during, and after a disaster strikes. He presents strong evidence that we are facing real danger, but he also offers practical information about how to be prepared to cope with emergency situations. The participants at these workshop sessions pay close attention and take a lot of notes.
A first step is to develop a family emergency plan. This can help reduce the level of anxiety about the well being of other family members. When faced with an emergency a lot of people get so worried about how their loved ones are doing that they panic and respond in ways that can cause more harm.
If a major earthquake happens during the daytime, family members are likely to be scattered at work, school, or on errands. A family emergency plan will make everyone comfortable with the idea that they can, and should, stay where they are for a period of time. Communication and transportation problems will mean that a degree of uncertainty must be expected and tolerated. A family can establish meeting points for an eventual reunion in the neighborhood and an alternative at another location. With such a plan the amount of confusion and concern can be kept under control. An out-of-state telephone contact can also be useful, since long distance phone lines are likely to be working before local connections are possible.
Stored supplies which allow a household to be independent for at least three days are another vital part of being prepared. Red Cross publications are available to help people know what food, water, first aid, fire extinguishers and other emergency supplies are needed.
Structural improvements to older buildings are another step which can help limit our risk. Many older houses need to be fastened to their foundations, and weak walls and other connections may need reinforcement. Fortunately, installation of steel hardware and plywood sheeting are reasonably easy tasks. Lumber yards and home improvement centers sometimes have literature which describes how this should be done. The municipal or county building department can also provide information.
During an earthquake, the best advice in most situations is to immediately drop, cover, and hold. Richard Gelb explains the reasons for this response, and he has us practice doing it. Dropping to the floor will usually put your head below the level of surrounding furniture. If a light fixture, pipe, or other heavy object falls, the furniture is likely to absorb the blow. If possible you should crawl under a sturdy table or desk and hold on to a leg (it may be moving around the room). At the very least, try to scramble away from windows and cover your head with your arms and hands. Running outside is not a safe course of action. If, however, you find yourself standing on a downtown sidewalk during an earthquake, it would be a very good idea to run into the nearest building entrance. Tons of glass, building ornaments, and air-conditioning units may start to rain down.
Richard warns us that when the ground has stopped shaking we need to control our "fight or flight" reaction. If we try to race around the house, or speed across town, we are likely to get hurt. The right response is to check yourself for injuries, check others around you, and then begin a careful evaluation of any hazards in the immediate area. If there are injuries, gas leaks, fires or other problems we will need to handle them ourselves. The emergency services that we can usually count on will be overwhelmed with calls. We'll need to stay where we are and do all of the right things.
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