WHEN IT HITS
WHERE WILL YOU BE?

INDOORS
Avoid objects that could fall.
BACKWOODS
Move away from cliffs and steep
embankments where there might
be falling debris or a landslide.

STOCK UP

After the quake,
get away from
river beds, which
may be carrying
debris or surges of
water and mud.

Create an emergency kit
If you do nothing else, be
prepared to spend 7-10 days
without utilities, medical help
or communications.
Keep a family emergency kit
and store it near a door for
easy access. Make sure
everyone knows its location.
Basics
Water
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Nonperishable food
Can opener
First aid kit
Cash (in small bills)
Survival handbook
Pocket knife
Portable radio
Plastic sheeting
Duct tape

Avoid bridges and
underpasses.
Parking garages are
especially vulnerable
during quakes.

OUTSIDE
Move to an
open area,
away from
buildings,
streetlights and
utility wires.

Plan on one gallon of water
per person, per day.
Water-purification tablets or a
back-country filtering device
can be helpful in case water
supplies are contaminated.

Personal
Toiletries
Routine medications
Pet food and supplies
Helpful
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Plastic dinnerware
Trash bags
Aluminum foil
Protection
Goggles
N95 dust mask
Work gloves
Heavy shoes
Tools
Crowbar
Axe
Pliers
Hammer
Screwdriver
Shelter
Tent
Sleeping bag
Camping stove

In crowded public places,
such as a store, do not rush
to the exit. Move away
from shelves and other
objects that could fall. In
an auditorium or stadium,
crouch down between the
rows and cover your head
and neck.
Duck under a sturdy table,
desk or counter, and cover
your head and neck to
prevent injury from glass
and debris. Hang onto a
furniture leg and move with
it if the shaking is severe.

ON FOOT
If you’re among
high-rises, duck
into a lobby. In
other areas,
move away from
buildings. Falling
bricks, debris and
glass pose the
greatest risks.

Rope, plastic sheeting and duct
tape can be used for covering
broken windows and other
temporary repairs.

Don’t go outside, or use
stairs or elevators, until the
shaking stops.

IN TRANSIT
If you are driving,
stop your vehicle
away from
buildings, bridges
and utility lines.
Set your parking
brake. Stay inside
the car until
shaking stops.

If there’s no table, go to
an inside wall, a corner of
the room or lie down next
to a couch.

COASTLINE
If you are near the water, move to high ground immediately to escape a potential tsunami.
If the epicenter is near, you could have only a few minutes before the first wave hits.

• Check for hazards such as fire, leaks,
chemical spills and precarious structures.
• Be cautious in damaged buildings, and assess
the conditions outside before exiting a building.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Provide first aid and a safe place for anyone
who is injured.
• Avoid moving severely injured people
unless necessary.

AFTER IT HITS
• Call 911 or other emergency phone numbers
only to report life-threatening emergencies.
Phone lines will be jammed, and increased
calls can hamper rescue efforts.
• Stockpile water. Your community’s supply
may be limited due to broken mains. Fill your
bathtub. Be prepared to treat, filter or boil
contaminated water.

• Eat refrigerated food first, frozen
food next and dried or canned
food last.
• If the electricity is out, open the
refrigerator and freezer doors only
when necessary. Refrigerated food
should be OK for about 6 hours;
frozen food should be safe for up
to 48 hours.

KNOW YOUR UTILITIES

GAS
ON
OFF

Turn the gas off only if
you hear hissing or smell
gas. Once turned off, gas
Meter can only be restarted by
a trained technician.

Shutoff
valve

Attach a wrench to
your gas meter so it
will be handy. To shut
off gas, turn the valve
until it is perpendicular
to the pipe.

ON

OFF

ELECTRICITY

WATER

If you see sparks,
damaged wires or smell
burning insulation, switch
the power off at the main
breaker or fuse box.

Turn the water off if
there is obvious
leakage, or if there’s a
chance water lines are
damaged, which could
allow contamination.

During a prolonged
outage, leave a single
light circuit switched on.
That way you’ll know
when the power is back.

Source: Seattle Office of Emergency Management

OFF

Wait for notification
that lines are OK before
turning it back on.

KELLY SHEA / THE SEATTLE TIMES