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Earthquake Preparedness
Earthquake Preparedness in Los Gatos
Los Gatos is located near active fault lines, including the San Andreas Fault. Earthquakes can strike without warning—now is the time to take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your home. Sign up for AlertSCC to receive timely emergency notifications.
🧰 Prepare for an Earthquake
- Make a Plan: Establish family communication, out-of-area contacts, meeting spots, and include pets & special needs.
- Build a Kit: Water, food, flashlight, radio, N95 masks, first aid kit, wrench/pliers, manual can opener, medications, documents, cash. Keep kits at home, in your car, and at work.
- Sign Up for Alerts: AlertSCC | MyShake App (can provide early earthquake warnings) | Android Earthquake Alerts | Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs)
- Resources:
Stay Safe During an Earthquake
- Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Protect your head and neck under sturdy furniture.
- If using a mobility device: Lock wheels, cover your neck, and hold on.
- In various settings:
- Indoors: Stay under cover, away from glass or heavy objects.
- Outdoors: Move away from buildings & power lines.
- In a car: Pull over safely, stop, and stay inside.
- In bed: Stay put and cover your head with a pillow.
- ShakeOut California: Safety by Location
- CADRE Earthquake Resources (multilingual & accessibility)
🛠️ Secure Your Space
- Bolt water heaters, secure furniture, mount ceiling lights.
- Install cabinet latches; store heavy items low.
- Know how to shut off gas; keep a wrench accessible.
- Consider seismic retrofitting; reinforce porches, decks, and garage doors.
- Earthquake Insurance: Explore coverage via California Earthquake Authority (CEA).
- Resources:
🔧 Recover After an Earthquake
- Expect aftershocks and stay vigilant.
- Check for hazards—gas leaks, electrical damage, structural issues.
- Document damage for insurance claims.
- Check on neighbors and offer assistance.
- FEMA Disaster Assistance
Stay informed, stay prepared, and protect what matters most.
🌐 Community & Language Resources
- Listos California – Earthquake readiness guides in Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Chinese, Punjabi, and more.
- CADRE – Home safety tips and videos in multiple languages, including ASL.
- ShakeOut California – Multilingual drill resources for schools, families, and workplaces.
- Ready.gov Earthquake Guide – Official federal readiness guidance.
- Earthquake Warning California – Info on early warning systems like MyShake, WEA, and Android alerts.