What to Do During an Earthquake

During the Shaking

The moment you feel shaking, act immediately. Do not wait to see if it gets worse. The USGS recommends one protocol: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

1. 1Drop to your hands and knees. This prevents the quake from knocking you down and reduces your chance of being thrown across the room.
2. 2Cover your head and neck with one arm and crawl under a sturdy desk, table, or bench. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with both arms.
3. 3Hold On to your shelter with one hand. If the table moves, move with it. Stay in position until the shaking stops completely.

After the Shaking Stops

The shaking has stopped, but the danger has not. Aftershocks can follow within minutes, and structural damage may not be immediately visible. Move carefully and methodically.

1. 1Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid for serious bleeding or injuries before moving. Do not move anyone with a potential spinal injury unless they are in immediate danger.
2. 2Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear hissing, open a window, leave the building immediately, and call 911 from outside. Do not use light switches, matches, or your phone until you are clear of the building.
3. 3Expect aftershocks. They can be nearly as strong as the initial quake. Drop, Cover, and Hold On again each time. Aftershocks can continue for days or weeks.
4. 4Do not use elevators. Take stairs only. If you are trapped, tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Do not shout unless you have no other option, as dust inhalation is a real risk.

If You're in a Car, Elevator, or Outside

Drop Cover Hold On is the default, but your surroundings dictate the specifics. Here is what to do based on where you are when the quake hits.

• In a car: Pull over to the shoulder, away from overpasses, bridges, power lines, and buildings. Set the parking brake and stay inside with your seatbelt on until the shaking stops. Your car's suspension absorbs some of the motion.
• In an elevator: Press the button for the nearest floor and exit as soon as the doors open. If the elevator stops, use the emergency button or phone. Do not try to force the doors or climb out.
• Outside: Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines. Drop to the ground, cover your head, and stay there. Falling glass and debris from building facades are the primary danger.
• Near the coast: After the shaking stops, move immediately to higher ground. Tsunamis can arrive within minutes of a coastal earthquake. Do not wait for an official warning.

Prepare Before It Happens

Earthquakes give zero warning. Preparation is the only variable you control. These steps take an afternoon and dramatically reduce your risk.

1. 1Secure heavy furniture and appliances. Bolt bookshelves, water heaters, and dressers to wall studs. Use earthquake straps on TVs and heavy objects on high shelves. FEMA estimates that most earthquake injuries at home come from falling objects, not structural collapse.
2. 2Build a go-bag. Water (one gallon per person per day for three days), flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, medications, copies of important documents, cash. Keep it by the door.
3. 3Know your shutoffs. Learn how to turn off your gas, water, and electricity. Keep a wrench near the gas meter. After a quake, you may need to shut off gas before re-entering your home.
4. 4Pick a household meeting spot. Choose a location outside your home where everyone gathers after a quake. Practice it so it is automatic.