Earthquakes

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. While they can happen anywhere without warning, areas at higher risk for earthquakes include Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington and the entire Mississippi River Valley.

Nevada is Earthquake Country

There have been several large earthquakes in Nevada and more will occur. In fact, over the last 150 years, Nevada has been the third most active state in the Union in the number of large earthquakes. Since the 1850s, 63 earthquakes with potentially destructive magnitudes of 5.5 or greater have occurred in the state. Given the many "earthquake-generating" faults there are in Nevada, the geodetic deformation measured between the mountains, and the many historical earthquakes, it is clear that earthquakes will continue to occur in the state. Some of these events will be very large, and some will be near our communities. 

For those who experience the next major earthquake that affects Nevada, whether in a rural or urban setting, the financial and psychological impacts can be life changing. If earthquake preparedness is neglected, the shaking from earthquakes can even be life threatening. Recent earthquakes in Nevada, California, Haiti, Italy, and Japan remind us that awareness of the earthquake threat is not enough.

In most situations, if you feel shaking or get an earthquake alert, immediately:

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and reduces your chances of being hit by falling or flying objects.

COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.

  • If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter.
  • If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall.
  • Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.

HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

  • Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
  • No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

Have difficulty getting to the ground, or cannot get back up again without help, follow these recommendations:

If you use a cane: DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON or sit on a chair, bed, etc. and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane near you so it can be used when the shaking stops.

If you use a walker or wheelchair: LOCK your wheels (if applicable). If using a walker carefully get as low as possible. Bend over and COVER your head/neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow. Then HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

Wherever you are, if an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away with these tips:

If an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away: 

  • If you are in a car, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
  • If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
  • If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings.
  • If you are inside, stay and do not run outside and avoid doorways.

The best time to prepare for any disaster is before it happens.

  • Practice Drop, Cover, then Hold On with family and coworkers. Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl under a sturdy table or desk if nearby. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops. If a table or desk is not close, crawl next to an interior wall.
  •  Develop a Family Emergency Communications Plan that has an out-of-state contact. Plan where to meet if you get separated and practice your evacuation plan.  
  • Create a Disaster Supply Kit or GO bag for your household: Use this Emergency Supply Kit Checklist that includes enough food and water for at least three days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, and a whistle.  Have extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.   
    • Consider each person’s specific needs, including medication and medical equipment. 
    • Do not forget the needs of pets and service animals.  
    • Being prepared allows you to avoid unnecessary excursions and to address minor medical issues at home, alleviating the burden on urgent care centers and hospitals. 
    • Remember that not everyone can afford to respond by stocking up on necessities. For those who can afford it, make essential purchases and slowly build up supplies. 
    • Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover earthquake damage.
    • Consider making improvements to your building to fix structural issues that could cause your building to collapse during an earthquake.
  • Pets are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your emergency plan with this Pet Supply Checklist.

  • Protect Your Home: Secure or anchor heavy items in your home like bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, televisions and objects that hang on walls. RELOCATE HEAVY ITEMS LOCATED HIGH OVERHEAD Unsecured objects are at risk of shaking off shelves and out of cabinets during an earthquake. Relocate heavy or large items located over 4 feet above the ground to lower shelves or to the floor.
    • Consider making improvements to your building to fix structural issues that could cause your building to collapse during an earthquake. 
    • Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover earthquake damage.

Steps to take after an Earthquake

If an earthquake has just happened, there can be serious hazards such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines.

  • Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.
  • Check yourself to see if you are hurt and help others if you have training. Learn how to be the help until help arrives.
    • If you are sick or injured and need medical attention, contact your healthcare provider for instructions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. 
  • If you are in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building.
  • Do not enter damaged buildings.
  • If you are trapped, protect your mouth, nose and eyes from dust with your shirt or jacket. Send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting so that rescuers can locate you.
  • If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.
  • Text messages may be more reliable than phone calls. Save phone calls for emergencies.
  • Once you are safe, listen to local news reports via battery operated radio, TV, social media, and cell phone text alerts for emergency information and instructions. Be very careful during post-disaster clean-up of buildings and around debris. Do not attempt to remove heavy debris by yourself. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy, thick-soled shoes during clean-up.
  • Register on the Red Cross “Safe and Well” website so people will know you are okay: SafeAndWell.org.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after holding on to commonly touched surfaces or objects. If you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops. Avoid contact with floodwaters as they can contain chemicals, sewage, and debris.

Once you are safe, pay attention to local news reports for emergency information and instructions via battery-operated radio, TV, social media or from cell phone text alerts.

  • Register on the American Red Cross “Safe and Well” website so people will know you are okay.
  • Use text messages to communicate, which may be more reliable than phone calls.
  • Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.

Additional Resources

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Information/Tips Sheet

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