HOW TO 

PREPARE

FOR AN E

P

ARTHQUAKE
How to Prepare for an Earthquake | America’s PrepareAthon! | www.ready.gov/prepare 1

How to Prepare for 

an Earthquake

Earthquakes can bring mild to violent shaking and can occur anytime, anywhere. This guide can help you protect 

yourself, your family, and your property before, during, and after an earthquake.

KNOW YOUR RISK

WHAT: An earthquake is 

the sudden, rapid shaking 

of the earth, caused by the 

breaking and shifting of 

subterranean rock as it 

releases strain that has 

accumulated over a long 

time. Initial mild shaking 

may strengthen and 

become extremely violent 

within seconds. Additional 

earthquakes, called 

aftershocks, may occur 

for hours, days, or even 

months. Most are smaller 

than the initial earthquake 

but larger magnitude 

aftershocks also occur.

WHEN: Earthquakes can 

happen at any time of the 

year and occur without 

warning. 

WHERE: All U.S. states and 

territories are at some risk 

for earthquakes. The risk 

is higher in identified 

seismic zones. 

IMPACT: Larger 

earthquakes may cause 

deaths, injuries, and 

extensive property 

damage. Most casualties 

and injuries during an 

earthquake occur when: 

people fall while trying to 

walk or run during the 

shaking; when they are 

hit by falling, flying, or 

sliding household items 

or non-structural debris; 

and/or when they are 

struck or trapped by 

collapsing walls or other 

parts of the building. 

Transportation, power, 

water, gas, and other 

services may be disrupted. 

In some areas, shaking 

can cause liquefaction—

when the ground acts 

more like a liquid. When 

this happens the ground 

can no longer support the 

weight of a building. In 

coastal areas, earthquakes 

under the sea floor can 

cause tsunamis.

 

Forecasted Frequency 

of Earthquake Shaking WA

MT ME ND This map shows the frequency MN VT of the minimal level of shaking OR NH where injuries become SD WI ID NY MA

common as a result of damage. WY MI CT RI

IA PA NV NE NJ IN OH Very High IL UT DE

WV MD CO High MO VA KS KY CA

Medium NC

TN

AZ OK SC Low NM AR

MS AL

GA TX LA This level of shaking is capable of: 

cracking windows; knocking dishes, 

glassware, knickknacks, and books off 0 115 230 460 690

FL shelves and pictures off walls; moving AK

or overturning furniture; and cracking 

weak plaster, adobe buildings, and PR some poorly built masonry buildings. HI ORR Mapping & Analysis Center

Washington, DC

08/07/14

Sources: ESRI, HSIP, USGS

MapID 144cd3feb7f0807141341hqprod
How to Prepare for an Earthquake | America’s PrepareAthon! | www.ready.gov/prepare 2

How to Prepare for an Earthquake

This page provides an overview of protective actions to take before, during, and after an earthquake. 

Additional information is provided in the following pages for each phase. 

1 | BEFORE: PREPARE

Take action now, before an earthquake hits. 

• Secure items that might fall and cause injuries 

(e.g., bookshelves, mirrors, light fixtures). 

• Practice how to Drop, Cover, and 

Hold On by participating in a 

ShakeOut earthquake drill 

(www.ShakeOut.org). 

• Store critical supplies 

and documents.

• Plan how you will 

communicate with 

family members.

2 | DURING: SURVIVE

As soon as you feel the shaking, 

• DROP down onto your hands and knees so 

the earthquake doesn’t knock you down. 

• COVER your head and neck with 

your arms to protect yourself 

from falling debris. If you are in 

danger from falling objects, 

and you can move safely, 

crawl to a safer place or 

seek cover (e.g., under

a desk or table). 

• HOLD ON to any sturdy 

covering so you can

move with it until the 

shaking stops. 

3 | AFTER: RECOVER

When the shaking stops, before you move, look around for 

things that might fall or for dangerous debris on the ground. 

• If you are in a damaged building and there is a safe 

way out through the debris, leave and go to an open 

space outside, away from damaged areas. 

• If you are trapped, do not move about or kick up dust. 

• If you have a cell phone with you, use it to call or text 

for help. 

• Tap on a pipe or wall or use a whistle, if you have 

one, so that rescuers can locate you. 

• Once safe, monitor local news reports (e.g., radio, 

TV, social media, and cell phone text alerts), for 

emergency information and instructions.
How to Prepare for an Earthquake | America’s PrepareAthon! | www.ready.gov/prepare 3

Protect Yourself Before, During, and After an Earthquake

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THAT AN 

EARTHQUAKE IS HAPPENING

You may experience a shaking or a rolling motion in 

the walls, floor, or ground. This movement may 

grow more extreme within seconds.

If you do not DROP down immediately, you may be 

knocked off your feet. You may not be able to walk 

or run. 

Objects may fall off shelves, light fixtures may swing 

or fall from ceilings, or tall furniture may fall over. 

There may be dust or glass particles in the air or on 

the ground. 

You may hear noises similar to a heavy truck or train 

passing nearby.

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

Although there is no advance notice of an earthquake, 

emergency information will be provided immediately 

after through radio and TV broadcasts and via Wireless 

Emergency Alerts texted to cell phones. In addition to 

commercial radios, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio broadcasts alerts 

and warnings directly from the National Weather 

Service for all hazards. You may also sign up in advance 

to receive emergency notifications from your local 

emergency services. 

Download Be Smart. Know Your Alerts and Warnings

for a summary of available notifications at: www.ready.

gov/prepare.

Free smart phone apps, such as those available from 

FEMA and the American Red Cross, provide information 

about shelters, how to provide first aid, and how to 

seek assistance for recovery. (Search for the FEMA 

App or Red Cross Apps on your iPhone, android, or 

other mobile device). The U.S. Geological Survey 

manages the Earthquake Notification Service, which 

provides free notification emails when earthquakes 

happen in your area or anywhere in the world. Visit: 

https://sslearthquake.usgs.gov/ens for more information.

DEVELOP A COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

Your family may not be together when an earthquake 

hits, so it is important to know how you will contact 

one another and how you will get back together in case 

of an emergency. Landline and cellular phone systems 

are often overwhelmed following a disaster, so you 

may need to use text messaging or social media to 

communicate with family and friends. Keep important 

numbers written down in your wallet in case you 

cannot access the contact list in your phone. For more 

information, including a sample household communications 

plan, visit www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.
How to Prepare for an Earthquake | America’s PrepareAthon! | www.ready.gov/prepare 4

1 | Protect Yourself Before an Earthquake

To prevent potential injuries, take the time to secure your space. Secure items that might fall, fly, or slide in an 

earthquake (see www.earthquakecountry.org/step1). Imagine if the room was picked up and shaken up and 

down and side to side and then determine what items would be thrown around. Periodically review the locations 

where you spend time—your home, workplace, or school—to look for potential hazards and secure them. 

DO A HAZARD HUNT FOR POTENTIAL HAZARDS AND THINGS THAT MIGHT FALL

1

3

5

2

6

4

1. Cabinet doors can fly open allowing 

contents to crash to the floor; secure 

them with latches. 

2. Objects such as framed photos, books, 

lamps, and other items that you keep on 

shelves and tables can become flying 

hazards. Secure them with hooks, 

adhesives, or earthquake putty to keep 

them in place. Move heavy or breakable 

items to lower shelves. 

3. Mirrors, pictures frames, and other 

hanging items should be secured to the 

wall with closed hooks or earthquake putty. 

Do not hang heavy objects over beds, 

sofas, or any place you may be seated.

4. Electronics such as computers, televisions, 

and microwave ovens are heavy and 

expensive to replace. Secure them with 

flexible nylon straps.

5. Bookcases, filing cabinets, china cabinets, 

and other tall furniture should be anchored 

to wall studs, (not drywall), or masonry. 

Use flexible straps that allow them to 

sway without falling to the floor. 

6. Secure your water heater, refrigerator, and 

other major appliances with the appropriate 

straps screwed into the wall studs or 

masonry to help keep them from falling over 

and rupturing gas or electric connections. 

Gas appliances should have flexible 

connectors to absorb the shaking while 

reducing the risk of fire. 

NOTE: These adhesives, straps, hooks, latches, and other safety devices are available at most hardware and home 

improvement stores as well as online retailers.
How to Prepare for an Earthquake | America’s PrepareAthon! | www.ready.gov/prepare 5

1 | Protect Yourself Before an Earthquake

STRENGHTEN YOUR BUILDING

Make sure your home and other buildings you spend 

time in are safer during earthquakes and more resistant 

to earthquake damage. Get professional help to assess 

the building’s structure and then take steps to install 

nonstructural solutions, including foundation bolting, 

cripple wall bracing, and reinforced chimneys. If you live 

in a mobile home, consider installing an earthquakeresistant bracing system. These measures can help 

reduce major damage to the building. If you are a renter, 

ask your landlord or property manager to make the 

necessary improvements to make the building safer. 

Examples of structures that may be more vulnerable in 

an earthquake are those not anchored to their foundations 

or having weak crawl space walls, unbraced pier-andpost foundations, or unreinforced masonry walls or 

foundations. Check with your local office of emergency 

management to ask if there are volunteer teams in 

your community to help with assessments. Visit 

www.fema.gov/earthquake-safety-home for guidance 

on nonstructural ways to reduce damage and earthquake 

resistant structural design or retrofit.

PRACTICE: Everyone 

should know what to do in 

an earthquake and should 

practice how to Drop, 

Cover, and Hold On. Join 

the Great ShakeOut and 

America’s PrepareAthon! 

to practice how to protect 

yourself and to help 

spread the word. Visit 

www.shakeout.org and 

www.ready.gov/prepare 

to learn more. Learn and 

practice first aid skills and 

emergency response skills 

through training such as the 

Community Emergency 

Response Team (CERT) 

Program.

GATHER CRITICAL 

DOCUMENTS: Once the 

immediate danger passes, 

having your legal, financial, 

and medical documents 

will help you to receive 

assistance and work with 

your insurance company. 

Take time now to safeguard 

critical documents and 

take pictures or videos of 

your belongings. Download 

Be Smart, Protect Your 

Critical Documents and 

Valuables for a checklist. 

www.ready.gov/

financialpreparedness.

DISCUSS: Talking about 

disasters and helping 

others prepare makes 

everyone safer. Discuss 

what you have done to 

prepare with your family, 

friends, neighbors, and 

colleagues.

STORE: Gather and store 

the basic supplies your 

family would need for at 

least three days if grocery 

stores and other services 

are unavailable, if power 

is out, or you are unable 

to stay in your home. A 

sustained power outage 

can have a significant 

impact on people who 

require electricity to power 

medical equipment, so 

make sure that you have 

a plan to take care of 

yourself and your family 

during an outage. 
How to Prepare for an Earthquake | America’s PrepareAthon! | www.ready.gov/prepare 6

1 | Protect Yourself Before an Earthquake

ASSEMBLING EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Take the time now to collect the emergency supplies you would need if the power was out, water supplies were cut 

off, and grocery stores were not open. You can build your supplies over time by adding a few items as your budget 

permits. Basic emergency supplies should include the following, most of which you probably already have in your home.

4 WATER – Ensure you have at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 

3 days. (Store a longer than 3-day supply of water, if possible). An average person 

needs to drink about 3/4 of a gallon of fluid daily. Individual needs vary depending on 

age, gender, health, level of activity, food choices, and climate. You may also need 

stored water for food preparation.

4 FOOD – Store at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food for members of your household, 

including pets. Consider special dietary needs (e.g., infant formula). Include a non-electric 

can opener for canned food.

4 FLASHLIGHT, RADIO, and CELL PHONE CHARGER – You will need to be able to charge 

these items without electricity. Your flashlight and radio should be either hand-cranked 

or battery-powered, and stored with extra batteries. Your cell phone charger should be 

hand-crank, solar, or able to be charged from a car outlet.

4 MEDICAL – Include first aid kit, prescription and non-prescription/over-the-counter 

medications, and medical supplies.

4 SANITATION – Pack supplies for sanitation, such as hand sanitizer, towelettes, paper 

products, and plastic bags, for use when water resources are limited.

4 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY – Include battery backup power for power-dependent mobility 

devices, oxygen, and other assistive technology needs.

4 CLOTHING AND BLANKETS – Ensure you have clothing with long sleeves and long pants, 

thick-soled shoes, and work gloves to protect yourself after the earthquake, and a sleeping 

bag or warm blanket for each person, if you live in a cold-weather climate.

4 WHISTLE – Include a whistle to signal for help.

4 CASH – Store cash in case ATMs are not functioning after the earthquake. 

4 FIRE EXTINGUISHER – Earthquakes can cause fires to break out; have a fire extinguisher so 

you can put out any small fires. Use a fire extinguisher only if you are physically capable.

Consider storing supplies in several locations if possible. This means having basic supplies of food and water in 

locations, including your workplace, your vehicle, and, if possible, other places you and members of your household 

regularly spend time (e.g., house of worship, community center, and school).

It is important to consider the unique needs of your family, including access and functional needs, and the needs 

of children and pets. You may need to include: extra water; special food, such as infant formula or pet food; and 

supplies or equipment, such as diapers, glasses, or medical equipment. 

Download Emergency Supply Checklist at www.ready.gov/build-a-kit. 
How to Prepare for an Earthquake | America’s PrepareAthon! | www.ready.gov/prepare 7

2 | Protect Yourself During an Earthquake

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON. During an earthquake, 

minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby 

safe place. If you are indoors, stay there until the 

shaking has stopped and you are sure it is safe to exit. 

1 DROP! 2 COVER! 3 HOLD ON!

IF YOU ARE:

INDOORS

OUTDOORS

IN BED

 IN A MOVING 

VEHICLE

THEN:

DROP to your hands and knees.

COVER your head and neck with your arms. This position protects you from falling 

and provides some protection for vital organs. Because moving can put you in 

danger from the debris in your path, only move if you need to get away from the 

danger of falling objects. If you can move safely, crawl for additional cover under a 

sturdy desk or table. If there is low furniture, or an interior wall or corner nearby and 

the path is clear, these may also provide some additional cover. Stay away from glass, 

windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting 

fixtures or furniture.

HOLD ON to any sturdy shelter until the shaking stops.

DO NOT run outside! STAY where you are until the shaking stops. DO NOT get in 

a doorway as this does not provide protection from falling or flying objects and you 

likely will not be able to remain standing.

If you can, move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. Once in 

the open, Drop, Cover, and Hold On. STAY THERE until the shaking stops. 

This might not be possible in a city, so you may need to duck inside a building 

to avoid falling debris.

If you are in bed: STAY there and COVER your head and neck with a pillow. At 

night, hazards and debris are difficult to see and avoid; attempts to move in the 

dark result in more injuries than remaining in bed.

It is difficult to control a vehicle during the shaking so stop as quickly and safely as 

possible, and stay in the vehicle. 

Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. 

Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or 

ramps that the earthquake may have damaged.
How to Prepare for an Earthquake | America’s PrepareAthon! | www.ready.gov/prepare 8

3 | Protect Yourself After an Earthquake

Once the shaking has stopped, wait a minute before getting up and then look around for debris or other dangers. 

If you are able to safely move to exit the building and there is an open space to go to, exit the building and avoid 

damaged areas and downed power lines. For buildings in metropolitan areas that do not have nearby open space, 

it may be safer to remain in the building until you are certain you will avoid additional glass and debris that may fall 

from nearby buildings. Remember aftershocks may cause further damage to weakened structures and present 

hazards to those exiting buildings. Drop, Cover, and Hold On whenever you feel shaking. 

Monitor local news reports (battery-operated radio, TV, and cell phone text alerts) for emergency 

information and instructions. 

If you are trapped, do not move about or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or 

clothing. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. 

Use your cell phone to call or text for help. Tap on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle, if available, so 

rescuers can locate you. 

If you are in a damaged building and there is a safe way out through the debris, leave and go to an 

open space outside. If you can do so safely, take a moment to take what you might need immediately 

and can carry easily, such as a purse or go bag. Once outside, do not re-enter until the building is 

certified to be safe. 

Check for injuries and provide assistance if you have training. Assist with rescues if you can do 

this safely.

If you are near the coast, learn the tsunami risk for your area. If you are in an area that may 

experience tsunamis, when the shaking stops, walk inland or to higher ground immediately. Monitor 

official reports for more information on the area’s tsunami evacuation plans.

Stay away from damaged areas. Never use a lighter or matches near damaged areas. 

Check for and extinguish small fires.

Have your utilities inspected by qualified professionals for damage to electrical system, sewage, 

gas, and water lines.

If your home has been damaged and is no longer safe, and you need a place to stay, text SHELTER 

+ your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest public shelter in your area. A sample text 

would be SHELTER 12345. Follow local media for information on shelters.
How to Prepare for an Earthquake | America’s PrepareAthon! | www.ready.gov/prepare 9

3 | Protect Yourself After an Earthquake

• Earthquakes can destroy or make buildings and 

roads unsafe. 

• Use extreme caution around debris. Do not 

attempt to remove heavy debris by yourself and 

assist with rescues only if you can do so safely. 

• Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved 

shirt, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy, thicksoled shoes during clean-up. These will protect 

you from further injury from broken glass, exposed 

nails, or other objects. 

• Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or 

you are standing in water. 

• If you smell gas, call 9-1-1.

• Photograph or take a video of damage to your 

property to assist with filing an insurance claim. 

• Know that this will be an emotional time and it is 

normal to feel a little blue. Seek help for yourself 

or others if depression or anxiety persists or 

seems out of proportion for the circumstances.

• Expect aftershocks. These additional earthquakes 

are usually less violent than the main quake but can 

be strong enough to further damage weakened 

structures. They can occur in the first hours, days, 

weeks, or even months after the quake. Be ready to 

protect yourself.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The following resources and websites can help you further prepare for, respond to, and recover from an earthquake.

RESOURCES

• Avoiding Earthquake Damage: A Checklist for 

Homeowners. www.cert-la.com/education/

AvoidingEarthquakeDamage.pdf 

• Earthquake Preparedness: 

What Every Childcare Provider Needs to Know. 

www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1520

• Homebuilders’ Guide to Earthquake-Resistant Design 

and Construction. https://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/documents/6015 

• How to Series: Protect Your Property from 

an Earthquake. 

www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3260

• Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety.

www.earthquakecountry.org/sevensteps

RELATED WEBSITES

America’s PrepareAthon! www.ready.gov/prepare

Ready Campaign, www.ready.gov/earthquake

American Red Cross Earthquake Preparedness, 

www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/earthquake 

FEMA Earthquake Safety at Home, 

www.fema.gov/earthquake/earthquake-safety-home

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, www.shakeout.org

U.S. Fire Administration Earthquakes and Fire Safety, 

www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/

earthquakes.shtm

U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), 

www.earthquake.usgs.gov

For more information on America’s PrepareAthon!, log on to www.ready.gov/prepare, 

email us at prepareAthon@fema.dhs.gov, or join the conversation online at #PrepareAthon.