We have snow storms, floods and Haboobs, but earthquakes? Really?
According to the USGS, three earthquakes ranging from 3.2 to 4.1 magnitude shook under Black Canyon City last night, waking Phoenicians to shaking walls and a rumble that made some think there was someone jumping on their rooftop.
Fun Fact: According the USGS the largest Earthquake in Arizona was on July 21,1959 with a magnitude of 5.6. In the summer of 2014, an Earthquake hit the town of Duncan near the New Mexico border registering at 5.2.
People have taken to Twitter with the hashtag #WeWillRebuild to mock the Great Quake of Phoenix as compared to the damage our California neighbors face.
While we aren’t expecting another big one, here are a few apps to keep on your phone just in case as well as tips on what to do in an Earthquake.
Red Cross – this app will give you tips on what to do before, during and after an Earthquake, even with no connection. It provides information on local shelters and can send notifications generated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) about earthquakes happening around your area. Available in Spanish. Android and iOS
Quakefeed – this app will show you all the earthquakes happening around the world and can send notifications to your phone. The map options include street view all the way to the physical terrain. iOS download here.
What to do in an Earthquake from FEMA:
The three main things: Drop, cover and hold on.
If indoors:
- DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
- Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
- Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
- Do not use a doorway except if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway and it is close to you. Many inside doorways are lightly constructed and do not offer protection..
- Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
- DO NOT use the elevators.
- Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
- We had to make a San Andreas movie reference with the Rock- He made a PSA video for earthquakes for FEMA
- If Outdoors:
- Stay there.
- Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
- Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.
If you are driving:
- Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
- Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
For more tips, visit FEMA or Ready.gov/earthquake