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The 10 Deadliest Earthquakes in U.S. History - Loss of Life In New Zealand Earthquake Makes Us Consider Earthquake Risks in the United States

With the news that the death toll from the Christchurch New Zealand earthquake is expected to top 300, many are thinking about our own history of devastating earthquakes in the United States and considering the risks from future quakes. A reader of this Every Life Secure blog sent me this link to an article on "The 10 Deadliest Quakes in U.S. History".

I share this link in the hopes that reading the article might help those who live in earthquake risk areas make a greater effort to be prepared for such devastating quakes by ensuring that they have earthquake kits and earthquake supplies and that they take other precautions before an earthquake hits.

Every Life Secure

Devastating Earthquake Sends A Warning: Many Cities in Washington, Oregon, California, and British Columbia Face Similar Seismic Risks to Christchurch, New Zealand

Much is being said of the fact that the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Christchurch New Zealand on February 21, 2011 has done significantly more damage than the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit the same area last September. This more recent earthquake, though weaker, was much shallower and shook sediments that were prone to "liquefication". This liquefication can significantly magnify the damage done by the shaking of the ground.

I have noticed in the past several years of working in the emergency preparedness field, that many people in the United States tend to discount the significance of disasters that happen elsewhere in the world. However, Robert Yeats, and international earthquake expert and a researcher on both U.S. and New Zealand seismic risks, indicates that the very same conditions that magnified the destruction in Christchurch New Zealand exist in major cities in Washington, Oregon, California and British Columbia. What happens elsewhere may indeed be one of the best warnings about what earthquake risks we may face here in the U.S..

Yates is quoted as saying of these similarities in seismic risks:

"The latest New Zealand earthquake hit an area that wasn't even known to have a fault prior to last September, it's one that had not moved in thousands of years.... But when you combine the shallow depth, proximity to a major city and soil characteristics, it was capable of immense damage."

"The same characteristics that caused such destruction and so many deaths in Christchurch are similar to those facing Portland, Seattle, parts of the Bay Area and many other West Coast cities and towns... And it's worth keeping in mind that New Zealand has some of the most progressive building codes in the world. They are better prepared for an earthquake like this than many U.S. cities would be."

The indication is that there are dozens or hundreds of such shallow "crustal" faults, like those in Christchurch New Zealand, in the Western United States and Canada. This means that the risk of disastrous earthquakes spreads well beyond the well know risk areas associated with the more famous risk areas such as those cities and towns near the San Adreas Fault. The images we see in Christchurch could just as easily have come from any number of our own cities her in North America.

We have the ability to learn from disasters that happen anywhere in the world. The real question for us, is whether we will indeed chose to learn, or simply go about our daily lives without giving it a second thought because "it happened elsewhere in the world".

Let this latest terrible earthquake remind us of the need to have a comprehensive earthquake kit if we live in areas with a risk of earthquakes.

Every Life Secure

Dramatic Aerial Video of the 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake In Christchurch New Zealand

As dozens are reported killed and many more injured in the February 22, 2011 New Zealand earthquake, we are reminded by this dramatic aerial video footage of the devastation that can accompany such strong earthquakes.

If you live in earthquake country, please be prepared to respond. An effective response may include being equipped to evacuate or to shelter-in-place without access to the basic necessities that are so readily available in our every day lives: water, food, breathing protection, first aid, shelter, warmth, communication, light, tools, and sanitation. Unless you are prepared with an emergency kit and supplies, you may not have another source for many of these basic necessities for hours or days.

No government in the world is prepared to immediately meet the needs of all of its people after a major disaster. You must be prepared to survive on your own for three days (72 hours) or longer.

Every Life Secure

New Zealand Earthquake Reminds Us to Be Prepared for Earthquakes in the United States

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck southern New Zealand on February 22, 2011. Early reports are that several buildings in Christchurch have fallen and that there are multiple injuries and deaths. This powerful earthquake follows an even more powerful 7.1 magnitude quake that hit the same area on Sept. 4th of 2010 and caused and estimated $3 billion in damage.

This is just another reminder of the need to be prepared for earthquakes here in the United States. Although most Americans know that California and other parts of the west coast in the United States are at risk for major earthquakes, many are unaware that even in areas such as the mid-west there is a risk of devastating earthquakes.

What is the lesson? Be prepared for any emergency including a devastating earthquake with at least a 72 hour emergency kit designed to provide supplies to shelter-in-place or evacuate in the event of an earthquake or other major disaster.

Every Life Secure

How to Prepare for Severe Weather

Many states have experienced severe weather recently. I received a recent release from the preparedness campaign for the state of Georgia that detailed how to prepare for severe weather. I thought this information might be helpful to those who read this blog (I have changed the information slightly to make it applicable to everyone). Thanks to the folks from the Ready Georgia Campaign...

During severe weather, emergency workers might need at least 72 hours to open roadways and restore utilities. When people are prepared to survive independently, the potential for tragic outcomes is greatly reduced. You can prepare for severe weather in three ways: Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Stay Informed.

Prepare for Severe Weather:

Make a Ready kit of emergency supplies for your home, car, and office. Most of the recommended items are inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of them could save your life.

- Water: at least three gallons per person for drinking and sanitation

- Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

- Manual can opener if kit contains canned food

- Battery-powered or hand crank NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries

- Flashlight and extra batteries

- First aid kit

- Whistle to signal for help

- Face mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place

- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

- Local maps

- Specific items for children, family members’ special needs or pets

- Cash or travelers checks

- Important documents in a waterproof container

- Blankets and warm clothes

Plan for Severe Weather:

- Be sure every family member knows important phone numbers for schools, offices, home and emergency services.

- Identify an out-of town contact. It might be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call in town, so an out-of-town contact is in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

- Identify a meeting place near your home where family members can meet if separated during severe weather.

- Identify a meeting place away from your home where family members can meet if your neighborhood is not accessible.

- Map out evacuation routes in case you are ordered to evacuate, and always keep at least a fourth of a tank of gas in your car.

- Know your insurance policies and whether your home is in a flood zone.

Stay Informed about Severe Weather:

- Find out what type of disasters could occur and how you should respond.

- Learn your community's warning signals and evacuation plans.

- Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify severe weather, such as advisories, watches and warnings.

- Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, television and the Internet to stay informed of severe weather conditions.

Every Life Secure