What do I do after the earthquake? – NBC Bay Area

911 Call: Chilling Moments Recorded After South Napa Magnitude 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake

On August 24, 2014, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake shook Napa and was widely felt throughout the Bay Area – sparking fires, damaging buildings, injuring more than 200 people and driving terrified residents out of their homes in the dark.

This 911 call from that night offers a very personal look at what you could feel after an earthquake:

Quick look Check yourself, others, and pets immediately for injuries – also, pay close attention to gases, fires, chemical spills, and broken power lines When you’re safe, stay put Listen for instructionsExpect aftershocks Send a short text to an emergency contact Keep mobile To a minimum, be wary of structures and things that may have been altered or damaged in the home: stoves, cabinet contents, water pipes, etc. Take photos of the damage for insurance purposes If your home is uninhabitable, you need to vacate

We hope you’re prepared and set up your earthquake kit with food, water, and gear for 72 hours. Electrical or water service may be lost for days or weeks.

Here is a checklist you can use to help you with the next steps after an earthquake:

Things should be checked immediately with extreme caution:

yourself

Check for injuries Get first aid if needed If you are sick or injured and need medical attention Call your healthcare provider for instructions If you have a medical emergency call 9-1-1 Often tend people to others without checking themselves – you’ll be better able to take care of others if you treat your injuries first

others

Make sure everyone around you is safe Give first aid to anyone who needs it Help people who need extra help – infants, the elderly, those without transportation, large families, people with disabilities, and people looking after them Before helping someone seriously injured or trapped call 9- 1-1. Do not attempt to transport seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury

the animals

Pets’ behavior may change dramatically after an earthquake Monitor them closely and keep them under your control Release dogs and place them in a fenced yard

Whether it is indoors or at home

Scenarios Gas Notes Check for gas leaks If you think gas is leaking, do not use anything electrical as a spark can ignite the gas Do not turn off the gas unless you smell or hear gas leaking or suspect a broken gas pipe Gas service shut-off valve is usually located near the gas meter If you turn off the gas for any reason, the gas must be restarted by a professional using the correct procedures It can take a long time — weeks or months — for you to PG&E Turns Gas Back On • Explosions cause injury and death when homeowners incorrectly turn gas back on.

Evacuate immediately if: • the leaking gas begins to burn – do not attempt to extinguish the flames • think the gas line is broken • smell gas • hear blowing or hissing

Open a window, turn off the gas with the external main valve if you can, find a phone away from the building and call 9-1-1 immediately, then call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000

Fires Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake Find and extinguish small fires Eliminate fire hazards Extinguish small fires quickly, using available resources, will prevent them from spreading Avoid smoking indoors – smoking in confined spaces can cause chemicals Avoid Chemical Emergency Hazards Ordinary household items, such as cleaning products, can cause toxic fumes and other hazards if mixed in Carefully clean up spilled medication, bleach, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately Power lines If you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or If you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity from the main fuse box or circuit breaker If you have to enter water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, contact an electrician first for advice Check the panel box for any breakers that may have tripped – a tripped breaker may indicate damaged wiring inside your home Do not operate any tripped breakers – contact a qualified electrician for assistance

If outside

Scenarios Downloaded Notes / Falling Power Lines • Never touch any falling lines – stay away! • Dropped wires can carry current and can shock, injure, or kill if they come into contact with broken gas lines • If you smell gas, get as far away as possible, call 9-1-1, then report to PG&E at 1-800-743- 5000 immediately,

If you are in a car

Do not leave your vehicle unless staying inside poses an immediate threat to you or your passengers.

Scenarios Situation Notes Avoid parking near or under bridges, overpasses, signs, overhanging building poles, power lines, trees or any other hazards that may fall on your vehicle Once the shaking stops, get out of your vehicle and assess any damage to your vehicle and the vicinity Direct • It may be safer to stay where you are, especially if there is clutter on the roads; Possible landslides • If you are driving in a mountainous or rocky area, be aware of the possibility of landslides on the road. A faulty power line • If a power line falls on your vehicle, stay indoors and wait for an emergency worker to remove the cord

If you are not safe

SCENARIOSNOTESIF BACKGROUND Send a text or bang on a pipe or wall Cover your mouth with your shirt for protection Instead of screaming, whistle if you have one very damaged or unoccupied house Get everyone out of your home Find an emergency shelter When you are safe, stay in Where you are Stay where it is safe to do Wait for instructions from authorities Listen for instructions Once you are safe Pay attention to local news reports for emergency information and instructions via battery-powered radio, TV, social media, or from cell phone text alerts Radio offers Local and local officials The most appropriate advice for your particular situation If the power goes out, a battery-powered radio or a manual radio may be the main source of information. Before aftershocks after earthquakes Aftershocks can cause more damage to unstable buildings, be prepared to drop, cover, and wait every time you feel one: S Final summary text for emergency communication for those who live outside the Bay Area Phone networks will be flooded with calls Immediately after a major earthquake, so text may be more reliable than phone calls Use text messages to communicate as much as possible. Save as much mobile phone battery as possible. Other things to watch for in home scenarios Caveats Notes If you suspect an earthquake has caused structural damage to your home do not use the stove to cook until the chimney has been checked Sparks may seep through an undetected crack and start a fire – cracks can be In chimneys a cause of fire after years • Unnoticeable damage may result in fire or injury from falling debris during aftershocks • Open cabinet and cupboard doors with caution • Contents may lead to check stairs, walls, windows, floors, and ceilings Be careful about glass Broken or debris W Make sure the home or building is not at risk of water collapse If the water pipes are damaged, turn off the water from the main valve and call a plumber If you suspect sewer lines are damaged, avoid using sinks, showers or toilets and call Plumber. Signs that plumbing has been hit by an earthquake: Wet spots in walls, water seeping across the bathroom floor, choppy water pressure taps, gurgling and bubbling in the toilet, unexplained water meter rises, permanent puddles and wet spots in the backyard, sudden growth of shrubs or grassy areas or smells unpleasant; ) • Check each phone to see if it’s still hanging • Use the phone only to report life-threatening emergencies • Phone lines are often flooded in disaster situations. If you do not have a dial tone, contact your phone company to report the problem and request a repair – they need to be clear to emergency calls for you to access the apps Unplug and check all devices for damage before using them If you suspect any damage, unplug the power Mains mains switching • In the event of a power outage, turn off all electrical appliances and unplug major electrical appliances to help prevent potential hardware damage when power is restored. Uninhabitable, you need to vacate Return only when authorities say it is safe to do so If a building inspector has color-marked the house, do not enter it until you have received more information and instructions from your local authorities, and stop unnecessary expenses – if Your home is temporarily uninhabitable or completely destroyed Notify the utility and other service companies, such as your phone company, so they can stop the bills immediately Call any creditors and ask for more time to pay – most creditors will be willing to work with you, especially if you notify them before Repayment Due Estimating the amount of income and emergency savings you will have to pay while recovering from a disaster, then prioritizing your bills—Paying your insurance premiums and rent or mortgage should be your top priority. You are allowed to go home, wearing protective clothing and sturdy shoes. Make a list of damaged or missing items and provide receipts if possible. If possible, don’t get rid of anything you plan to claim without first discussing it with your adjuster, keep receipts for all additional expenses you might incur such as housing, repairs, or other supplies, make copies of all documents and photos submitted for your claims to the adjuster or insurance company

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