Siskiyou County Emergency Preparedness Guide - Earthquake

During an Earthquake - Drop! Cover! & Hold On!

Before the Earthquake - Prepare

• Securely anchor gas appliances, water heaters, heavy furniture and shelving.
• Locate utility shut-off valves and know how to turn them off.
• Everyone should have personal disaster supplies kits. Keep them where you spend most of your time, so they can be reached even if your building is badly damaged. The kits will be useful for many emergencies.

After the Earthquake - Proceed With Caution

• Be aware of aftershocks. Assess your situation. Determine if your environment is safe to stay in. Turn off utilities if necessary.
• Gather critical information. TUNE TO 103.9 or 101.7 FM Listen to directions from officials including emergency responders.

Utilities Shutoff
Only shutoff if leak or breakage is suspected as it may take weeks to months for utility providers to restore services.

• Gas - Using a non-sparking wrench, turn the valve perpendicular to pipe flow. Every home owner or renter that uses natural gas needs to know how to shut off the gas if the home you are living in is severely damaged. Leaking gas can be extremely dangerous if accidentally ignited by a spark.
• Water - Turn valve to closed position on the home side. Valve is similar to gas valve.
• Circuit Breakers - Turn off each individually before turning the main off and reverse for turning back on.