Tag Archives: earthquake

Earthquakes Hit Southern California: Are You Prepared?

With the earthquakes rocking Southern California, we Californians are again reminded of the dark shadow of the possibility of a ‘big one.’ In the middle of lazy summer days filled with backyard picnics and vacations, who is in the mood to be earthquake ready? No one really. But, we ignore this basic safety exercise at our own peril. Here are simple ways to get you started. 

Before An Earthquake 

  1. Prepare now by keeping an earthquake preparedness kit. The CDC provides a comprehensive list of what you may want to put in your earthquake kit. 

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/supplies.html 

During An Earthquake 

  1. If an earthquake hits, do not stand under a doorway. This common misconception may lead to serious injury. An easy phrase to remember what to do is ‘Drop, Cover, Then Hold On.’ 

After An Earthquake 

  1. To be safe after an earthquake, be prepared for aftershocks. Make sure that you are not injured and others around you are uninjured. 
  2. Save phone calls for emergencies only, and monitor local news reports for emergency information and instructions. 

For a comprehensive and detailed list of what to do before, during, and after an earthquake read this article: https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes 

The best way to stay safe is by knowing what to do if an earthquake hits, so take your time to explore these valuable resources and stay prepared.

Shalika Oza is a summer intern at India Currents magazine.

 

Before The Waters Rise Again – Measure T Will Get San Jose Ready

Measure T, on the Nov. 6 ballot, would put $650 million into upgrading San Jose’s aging infrastructure that puts our communities at risk.  Many of our bridges and overpasses are old and deteriorating, and at risk of collapse in earthquake. Two of our City’s fire stations are falling apart and one of them is at risk of sliding into a nearby creek. Last year we saw how many of our neighborhoods were vulnerable to flooding. We can’t prevent natural disasters, but we can do more to protect ourselves by passing Measure T.

Measure T will make us all safer by:

*Replace deteriorating, earthquake-vulnerable bridges

*Upgrade 911 communications facilities to improve emergency response

*Upgrade emergency operations centers

*Reduce flooding by rebuilding parts of our 70-year-old stormwater system

*Preserve natural open space that protects against flooding during heavy rains

*Fix potholes and repave roads to prevent accidents

*Rebuild police training facilities and repair crumbling fire stations

 

 

 

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