Full Notification

The July 4th and 5th earthquakes centered near Ridgecrest were felt widely in Los Angeles and beyond. They are an important reminders that we live in earthquake country, and there are actions we can take to prepare today.

First, take the time now to practice what to do when earthquake shaking starts: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. If you are in bed, stay in bed and put a pillow over your head. To learn what to do in other locations, such as in a car or in a theater, visit the Earthquake Country Alliance website.

Next, prepare your household for an earthquake or other disaster. Start by signing up for emergency alerts by visiting the NotifyLA website. Then, create a disaster plan and kit for your household and learn about training opportunities here in Los Angeles.

Make a Plan

Create a disaster plan for your family so that you know what you will do and how you will communicate in an emergency. Your plan should include family members with disabilities, children and pets.  Pick two places to meet: right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire, and outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Ask a friend or family member who lives in a different state to be your "Out-of-State contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. To keep track of your loved ones after an earthquake, everyone can reach out to that Out-Of-State contact via a phone call or text message and tell the Out-Of-State contact their location and status.

Make a Kit

Create a disaster kit for your household with water, food, first aid and other supplies and equipment you might need. Keep in mind any special items that are needed for older adult family members, children, and even your pets.  Once disaster hits, you won't have time to shop or search for supplies. If you have gathered supplies in advance, your family can be ready to shelter-in-place, even if utilities are down. Tips on making a plan and gathering supplies can be found at the Emergency Management Department’s Family Readiness website.

Prepare With Your Neighborhood

You can also help strengthen your neighborhood's ability to respond. Sign up for a “Ready Your LA Neighborhood”, or RYLAN Workshop, and you will learn how to organize your neighborhood to help each other after a major disaster like an earthquake. This is a free program available for City of LA residents.  Learn more about RYLAN and sign up for a workshop by visiting the RYLAN website.

The more that people take these actions, the more that you, your neighborhood and the city as a whole will be prepared and safe during a major earthquake. Now that you've seen these preparedness tips, tell us the steps you are taking to be more prepared on our Twitter or Facebook: @ReadyLA.

Learn more about all of these resources at the Emergency Management Department website.