Nurse's Notes
2002 View
EARTHQUAKES AND YOU
I have lived in California all of my adult life and like most
Californians, I am always so grateful I don’t have to cope with
hurricanes, floods, blizzards, tornadoes and other devastating acts
of nature! Earthquakes? Well, they are just something that happens
once in a while and are over before you know it, and at least it
usually isn’t raining!
Recently, however, I was talking with a parishioner who told me she
always sat at the back of the church because, in case there was an
earthquake, she wanted to be able to “run out”. OH, NO! I said—you
must never run out of a building during an earthquake—something may
fall and hit you. She reminded me that, as a “snowbird”, she does
not know how to prepare for an earthquake, nor does she know what to
do when one happens.
So, folks from elsewhere, here’s a little information about
earthquakes.
First of all, the largest and potentially the most dangerous fault
in California, the San Andreas, runs right through the Coachella
Valley. We are several years overdue for a monster quake on that
fault. It behooves us all to be prepared.
Secondly, any of our buildings constructed since 1933 (the Long
Beach quake), and especially those constructed since 1971 (the
Sylmar quake), are built to withstand a good shaking (especially
timber-built buildings such as St. Margaret’s sanctuary). Those of
us “in the know” make sure that our bookcases and other large pieces
of tall furniture are bolted to the wall—the books may tumble out,
but the whole shebang won’t come down on top of us. We don’t hang
large pictures or mirrors over our beds and at night, if the bed is
under a window, the drapes or shades are pulled to be sure broken
glass won’t fall on our heads.
When a quake hits, the safest place to be is standing in a door
frame or crouched under a heavy table (or church pew). DO NOT RUN
OUTSIDE! Get away from large windows or glass doors. If you are in
your car, pull to the side of the road and stop—the car will feel
like it has a flat tire anyhow. If you are outside, stay away from
power lines or overhangs—stand in the open. If you are in an open
area (such as a golf course) you may actually see the land “ripple”
and you’ll certainly feel it “wave” under your feet—some folks
report a feeling of nausea when this happens. People are always
afraid of ground rupture, but if this occurs it will usually happen
directly over or very near the fault line. After a large quake there
will be a series of aftershocks—some of them may be almost as large
as the original quake. Aftershocks may go on for days, usually
decreasing in severity.
If a major quake hits here, expect to be without electricity for a
few days and perhaps without a telephone—cell phones may not work
either, if the cell towers come down. After the Loma Prieta quake in
1989, the phone company blocked incoming calls into Northern
California so that the lines would be free for emergency use. In
order to reassure your families “back east” that you are safe,
arrange with someone to be the point of contact—you may be able to
call out FROM California—so call one person and let that person
notify everyone else.
Keep some water on hand (you are in the desert—you should have
bottled water on hand anyhow). A case of water can be stored and
recycled as needed. Stock enough canned food to last a few days. Be
sure you have functioning flashlights and fresh batteries, and maybe
some candles. Know where to turn off your water, power, and gas
lines in case of a break, and remember that if you need to plug a
gas line, you must use a wooden plug to avoid sparks. And every home
should have a fire extinguisher.
Be sure you have some basic first aid supplies—hospitals and urgent
care centers may be overloaded with serious injuries and the
“walking wounded” will be expected to care for themselves or wait
hours for treatment.
In 1999 there was a series of bad earthquakes—all over 7.0 in
size—one in Turkey, one in Mexico, and one here in the high desert
(the Hector Mine quake). The earthquakes in Turkey and Mexico did
devastating damage with fatalities—the one in the high desert messed
up a few grocery stores and bumped one train off a track (it was
right over the fault—minor injuries only). Our California
construction is the best in the world as far as earthquake stability
goes. Know a few basic rules and stick by them. And DON’T run
outside when the Big One hits.
Send comments to webmaster George Reeves, email: greeves@stmargarets.org