Earthquake Preparedness Guide

Whether you live in a high-risk zone in California or a moderate-risk area near the New Madrid Seismic Zone, earthquake preparedness can mean the difference between a scary inconvenience and a life-threatening emergency. This guide covers what every household should do before, during, and after an earthquake.

Step 1: Know Your Risk

Start by understanding the seismic hazard at your specific address. Use our earthquake risk lookup tool to get your Peak Ground Acceleration, Seismic Design Category, and recent nearby earthquake activity. Your risk level determines how much preparation you need — homes in Seismic Design Category D or higher face significantly more stringent requirements than those in Category A or B.

Check your state's earthquake history on our state rankings page to understand how active your region has been. States like Oklahoma and Texas have seen dramatic increases in seismicity in recent years that may not match older perceptions of risk.

Step 2: Build an Emergency Kit

Every household in an earthquake-prone area should maintain a 72-hour emergency kit. After a major earthquake, utilities, roads, and emergency services may be disrupted for days. Your kit should include:

  • Water — one gallon per person per day for at least three days
  • Food — three-day supply of non-perishable items (canned goods, protein bars, dried fruit)
  • First aid kit — bandages, antiseptic, medications, pain relievers
  • Flashlight and extra batteries — do not rely on your phone as your only light source
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio — for emergency broadcasts when cell towers are down
  • Dust masks — collapsed structures create hazardous airborne particles
  • Wrench or pliers — to turn off damaged utilities (gas, water)
  • Copies of important documents — insurance policies, IDs, bank information in a waterproof container
  • Cash — ATMs and card readers may not work after an earthquake
  • Whistle — to signal for help if trapped

Step 3: Secure Your Home

Most earthquake injuries come from falling objects, not structural collapse. Simple steps to reduce this risk:

  • Anchor heavy furniture — bookshelves, dressers, and water heaters should be strapped to wall studs
  • Secure hanging items — mirrors, picture frames, and light fixtures can become projectiles during shaking
  • Install latches on cabinets — kitchen cabinets and medicine cabinets can fling their contents during an earthquake
  • Know your gas shutoff — learn where it is and keep a wrench nearby. Gas leaks after earthquakes cause fires
  • Check your foundation — older homes (pre-1980) may not be bolted to their foundations. A structural engineer can assess this

Step 4: During an Earthquake

The standard advice remains the best: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

  • Drop to your hands and knees before the shaking knocks you down
  • Cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk. If no shelter is available, cover your head with your arms and crouch near an interior wall
  • Hold on to your shelter and be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops

Do not run outside during shaking — falling debris near exterior walls is one of the most dangerous places to be. Do not stand in a doorway unless it is a load-bearing doorway and you have no other option. If you are in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow.

Step 5: After an Earthquake

  • Expect aftershocks — they can be nearly as strong as the initial earthquake and may continue for weeks
  • Check for injuries — provide first aid before calling for help. Check on neighbors, especially elderly or disabled individuals
  • Inspect for damage — look for gas leaks (smell), water leaks, electrical damage, and structural cracks. Leave the building if you suspect serious structural damage
  • Do not use elevators — take stairs only after verifying the stairwell is safe
  • Text, don't call — phone networks will be overwhelmed. Text messages use less bandwidth and are more likely to get through

Step 6: Consider Earthquake Insurance

Standard homeowner insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage. Separate earthquake insurance is available through private insurers and, in California, through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). Whether you need it depends on your location's risk level — use our lookup tool to check your PGA and Seismic Design Category.

Generally, locations with PGA above 0.20g should strongly consider earthquake insurance. Even in lower-risk areas, earthquake insurance may be worth the cost if your home is older, built on soft soil, or carries a large mortgage. Deductibles are typically 10-20% of the dwelling coverage amount — significantly higher than standard insurance deductibles.