Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Floods, Winter Storms

Earthquakes

Stay calm. If inside, stay there and take cover where you are.
Duck, Cover and Hold: DUCK or DROP down to the floor.
Take COVER under a sturdy desk or furniture. If that's not possible, seek cover against interior wall. Protect your head and neck with arms.
Avoid danger spots near windows, hanging objects or tall furniture. If you take cover under sturdy furniture, HOLD on to it and be prepared to move with it. Hold on until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move.
Be prepared for aftershocks.

Tips for Outside Your Home

Store: move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall. Do not rush for the exit.
Sidewalk Near Building: duck into doorway to protect from falling bricks, glass and debris.
Driving: pull over to side of road and stop. Avoid overpasses, power lines. Stay inside vehicles.
High-Rise Building: move against interior wall. Do not use the elevators.
Outdoors: move to a clear area away from trees, buildings or downed electrical wires or poles.
Stadium/Theater: stay in seat, get below level of the back seat, cover head with arms.
Beach: move away from water. Seek high ground. See Tsunami below.

Tsunamis

Make sure all family members know how to respond to a Tsunami.
Make evacuation plans. Pick an inland location that is elevated.
Evacuate at once, if you hear an official tsunami warning or detect signs of a tsunami. Climb to higher ground.
Stay away from the beach. Never go down to the beach to watch a tsunami come in. If you can see the wave you are too close to escape it.
Return home only after authorities advise it is safe to do so.
A Tsunami is a series of waves. Do not assume that one wave means that the danger is over. The next wave may be larger than the first one. Stay out of the area.

Floods & Flash Floods

Flood & Flash Flood WATCH

Listen to local radio and T.V. Keep alert for intense rainfall/rising waters.
Prepare to respond. Assemble a Disaster Supply Kit. (see Emergency Supply Checklist)
Be ready to evacuate. Identify places to go (friend's home, shelter, etc.)
Fill car's gas tank. Prepare a road map marked with 2 alternative routes.

Flood WARNING

Flash Flood WARNING

Leave low-lying area immediately and seek higher ground.
If driving in low-lying area or it car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out of car and seek higher ground immediately.
Stay away from storm drains, irrigation ditches, creeks and river areas.
You may have only seconds to escape during a flash flood.
Barricades are for your protection. Do not drive through them.

Winter Storms

If Indoors

If Outdoors