Thread: Does anyone take an earthquate in US seriously?

Originally Posted by buglebe

Does anyone take it seriously that we could have an earthquake like some of the other countries have had? I think our worst one was in California when the interstates were broken and cars fell. But that compared to the more recent ones in other countries was not considered a big one. Does anyone take it seriously that we could have a big one like that?

I would take it seriously. The question is not "if" but "when" it will happen, far more devastating than what recently happened in Asia. And since Mother Earth seems active lately...

I live in S. Calif., and yes, I'm concerned. But I have "earthquake stores" of food, water and other items (crowbar, masks, gloves) ready if I should need them. (I keep them in a large trash barrel with wheels, so that I can just walk away with it if necessary.)

I've also anchored large items of furniture so that they can't topple over on us. I've got earthquake wax or velcro to hold down my TVs, VCR's and DVD player. (Ooops, better put some under my computer!) I don't have our beds under any windows, and my bookcases are packed tightly so that books don't fly out and hit us. My DS11 is trained what to do if there's an earthquake while he's in bed. (Roll down to the floor and lie as close as possible to the bed; most things that fall down will end up leaving a space open next to the bed.) My house is well-constructed, my family has a person we can check in with outside of our area, and I have a good 1st aid kit. I figure I've done everything I can, so I won't waste time worrying.

My friends, who aren't prepared, say they're coming to my house when the Big One strikes. I just laugh and say great, we can eat them if necessary!

Sandy, I'm also nervous about bridges. I just hate it when freeway traffic stops and you're stuck under one. After earthquakes, people usually stop before they get to the bridge and scoot thru when the traffic has cleared a bit. But they all seem to forget (and get annoyed if you do this) after a while. Let's start a trend of doing this again; I have no desire to be squashed under a bridge! And I don't like going in big buildings or multi-level parking lots for this very reason!