How to Prepare for Earthquakes: Before, During and After

You cannot stop the shaking, but you can control what falls on you. This guide covers the three stages: before, during and after.

Before an earthquake

Secure your space

Stand in each room and picture it shaking up, down and sideways. Ask what could fall on you or block your way out. The Red Cross lists TVs, shelves, mirrors, pictures, water heaters, refrigerators and bookcases as common problems.

Fix them with straps, brackets, hooks or latches. These are sold at most hardware stores.

• Bolt tall bookcases and dressers to wall studs.
• Strap flat-screen TVs to the wall or stand.
• Move heavy and breakable items to low shelves.
• Hang mirrors and pictures away from beds and couches.
• Add latches to kitchen cabinets so doors stay shut.
• Strap the water heater (see below).

Strap the water heater

The Red Cross lists the water heater among items to secure. The Department of Energy’s building guide says to use two metal straps. Place one about one-third down from the top of the tank and one about one-third up from the bottom.

Strap kits are sold for this job. If your heater is gas, a licensed plumber can check the connection at the same time.

Check your insurance

Ready.gov and the Red Cross both note that standard home and renters policies usually do not cover earthquake damage. Ask your insurer about a separate earthquake policy. In high-risk areas, you can also have your building checked for structural upgrades.

Build a kit

Ready.gov advises enough food and water for several days. The CDC says to store at least 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water per person per day. A 2-week supply is better if you have space.

Add a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, a whistle, extra batteries and phone chargers. Include medicines and pet supplies. Keep sturdy shoes and work gloves near your bed, because broken glass is common after a quake.

For a full list, see our guide to the 10 must-have items for your basic survival kit.

Make a family plan

Ready.gov advises picking an out-of-state contact person that everyone checks in with. Choose a meeting place near home, too.

Our step-by-step guide on creating a family emergency plan walks you through it.

Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Practice with your family or coworkers so the move becomes automatic. Many schools and workplaces join the yearly Great ShakeOut drill. Practice in different rooms so everyone knows where to take cover.

Sign up for earthquake alerts (where available)

ShakeAlert is the USGS earthquake early warning system. It covers California, Oregon and Washington. Alerts reach phones through Wireless Emergency Alerts, phone apps and other systems.

An alert may give you a few seconds before shaking arrives. Use them to Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Check the USGS ShakeAlert site for current coverage in your area.

During an earthquake

Drop, Cover, and Hold On

This is the action Ready.gov, the CDC and ShakeOut recommend for most situations.

1. Drop to your hands and knees before the shaking knocks you down.
2. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Get under a sturdy table or desk if one is close.
3. Hold on to your shelter and move with it until the shaking stops.

If no table is nearby, drop down and cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl to an inside wall or corner if you can, away from windows. Only crawl if you can reach better cover without crossing debris.

Where you are changes what you do

Where you are	What to do
In bed	Stay in bed. Cover your head and neck with a pillow.
Indoors	Stay inside until the shaking stops. Do not run outside.
Outdoors	Stay outdoors. Move to a clear area away from buildings, trees, power lines and vehicles if you can do it safely.
Driving	Pull over and stop. Set the parking brake. Stay inside until the shaking ends. Avoid overpasses, underpasses, buildings, trees and power lines.
High-rise building	Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Stay away from windows. Do not use elevators. Expect alarms and sprinklers to go off.
In a wheelchair	Lock your wheels. Stay seated and protect your head and neck.
Near the shore	Drop, Cover, and Hold On until the strong shaking stops. Then move to high ground right away.

What not to do

• Do not run outside. Ready.gov says this directly. Stay where you are and take cover until the shaking stops.
• Do not stand in a doorway. ShakeOut calls this a myth. In modern homes a doorway is no stronger than the rest of the house, and you are safer under a table.
• Do not use elevators. Ready.gov and ShakeOut both say to avoid them.

After an earthquake

Check yourself, then others

Wait a moment before you stand up. Look for hazards above and around you. Put on sturdy shoes right away.

Check yourself for injuries first. Then help others if you are trained. Our guide to basic first aid skills covers what to learn ahead of time.

Expect aftershocks

Aftershocks often follow the main quake. Some can be strong. Each time shaking starts again, Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

Watch for gas leaks and damaged utilities

The Red Cross gives clear rules for gas:

1. If you smell gas or think there is a leak, leave the building.
2. Call 911 from a safe place.
3. Do not use matches, lighters, appliances or light switches until you know there is no leak.
4. Report the problem to your gas company once you are safe.

Check water, power and sewer lines for damage too. Shut off any utility that is damaged. Use flashlights, not candles, because of the fire risk.

Get out of damaged buildings

If your home looks unsafe, leave quickly and do not go back in. Take your emergency kit if you can. Check the outside of the building before you re-enter, and follow local officials’ instructions.

If you are near the coast

A strong or long earthquake near the coast can cause a tsunami. The National Weather Service lists three natural warning signs:

• You feel a strong or long earthquake.
• You see the ocean suddenly rise or fall.
• You hear a loud roar from the ocean.

If you notice any of these, move to high ground or inland at once. Do not wait for an official warning, because there may not be time. ShakeOut’s guidance for Hawaii says to get at least 100 feet above sea level or 1 mile inland, and to go on foot.

Learn your local tsunami evacuation route before you need it.

If you are trapped

Cover your nose and mouth with cloth. Send a text if you can, as Ready.gov advises. Bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting, so rescuers can find you.

Clean up safely

Wear long sleeves, long pants, work gloves and thick-soled shoes. Do not try to move heavy debris alone. Save phone calls for emergencies so lines stay open.

If you need emotional support after a disaster, the free Disaster Distress Helpline is 1-800-985-5990 (call or text).

Earthquake readiness checklist

• Heavy furniture, TV and water heater are strapped.
• Heavy items are on low shelves.
• Kit has at least 3 days of food and 1 gallon of water per person per day.
• Shoes, gloves and a flashlight are by each bed.
• Family has an out-of-state contact and a meeting place.
• Everyone has practiced Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
• You know your tsunami route if you live near the coast.
• Phone alerts are turned on (ShakeAlert areas).
• You have checked whether your insurance covers earthquakes.

Related guides

• Home Safety Checklist: Room-by-Room and Season-by-Season

Sources

• Water — Ready.gov
• Earthquakes — Ready.gov (FEMA)
• Earthquake Preparedness Checklist — American Red Cross
• Earthquakes: Before, During, and After — CDC
• Creating and Storing an Emergency Water Supply — CDC
• Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions (Hawaii) — Great ShakeOut / Earthquake Country Alliance
• Entire U.S. West Coast Now Has Access to ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning — USGS
• Tsunami Safety — NOAA National Weather Service
• Secure water heater with two metal straps — U.S. Department of Energy, Building America Solution Center