4.2 earthquake In the SF Bay Area

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by TSteven

For what it is worth, I wouldn't say me being “on edge” was anything like or near a panic. Nor was I really scared. If anything, my “edginess” simply meant I was ready for a bigger one to hit. As such, I started making mental notes as to where my earthquake kit was located and I made sure to grab my mobile phone - just in case.

Regardless, it doesn't matter how many earthquakes I have experienced, or even how small they might be. Having the earth shift under me is disconcerting. I find it is similar to when I would “hear” a tornado coming. These sounds and motions are not the norm - even if they are "natural".

I agree 100%. I wish you had posted this in our east coast earthquake thread.

At least many Californians have an earthquake kit. Most of us don't. What is an earthquake kit besides what we keep in the closet in the event of a power outage? I guess I could Google it and let you Californians have your thread back.

[dukedg]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

Close to The Slanted Door restaurant? Love that place! Had a fantastic meal there last month.

Yes and I love Slated Door too -- YUM!

These quakes remind me that I really need to get some drinking water for emergencies. We just drink from the tap because it is soooo good, but that means we don't have any bottled water of any kind sitting around. I'll admit that I haven't had a formal earthquake kit since high school. Other Californians, do you all really have one packed in a box somewhere?

[PeppyGPhiB]

...patiently waiting for PacNW's "Big One"...

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by dukedg

I'll admit that I haven't had a formal earthquake kit since high school. Other Californians, do you all really have one packed in a box somewhere?

No. However, I just Googled it and I happen to have most of that stuff in my apartment anyway.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by dukedg

I work in the Embarcadero Center and I totally felt the first one but not the second (I was still at the work for the second). Being on the 19th floor is somewhat disconcerting in an earthquake!

I hope these are quakes that are reducing the tension on the Hayward fault. I believe the Hayward fault is the one they think is over due for the big one

Originally Posted by TSteven

I am just South of Market near the Embarcadero on the 15th floor. We really shook yesterday afternoon. I think it may have had more to do with our building being on springs. In other words, the building did what it was suppose to do during an earthquake – give and take. But like you noted, it was quite disconcerting.

For the second quake last night, I was seated in a chair with little roller wheels. My chair "lurched" across the floor maybe a foot. While it wasn’t much, when you add the "sounds" of an earthquake (i.e. house and/or foundation moving, windows rattling, etc.), and knowing about the quake from earlier in the day, I admit I was on edge for a while. And any little creak or sound got my adrenaline pumping a tad.

Are either of you in buildings above "fill" that isn't actually land but sand, rock, stuff left over from 1906, or sand that can turn unstable due to liquefaction? I'm thinking not since I remember a lot of retrofitting in that area after 1989, and when doing that a lot of archaeology work and I've seen the artifacts from the digging. My dad worked for Southern Pacific at 1 Market Street and their building was fine in 1989, and I got a total flash back about the Embarcadero Freeway.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I agree 100%. I wish you had posted this in our east coast earthquake thread.

At least many Californians have an earthquake kit. Most of us don't. What is an earthquake kit besides what we keep in the closet in the event of a power outage? I guess I could Google it and let you Californians have your thread back.

I have the same stuff in Idaho in my "emergency kit" that I grew up with in earthquake kits. Water, food (dry and canned stuff, my cat's food, enough for a week), iodine tablets, bucket, shovel, flashlight that works on a crank, radio, batteries, phone cards, emergency blankets, work gloves, first aid kit, camp stove, propane, cookware, cat box & litter. This is all next to my camping gear so I have shelter and I have my bigger cat cage as well as the carriers near it. I need to add some flagging tape and/or spray paint so if there's a need to mark anything or leave messages (like Katrina "1 Dead in Attic" or that someone left the area) I can do that for myself or someone else. Oh and some people keep a fire arm and ammo, as well as some cash.

Originally Posted by dukedg

Yes and I love Slated Door too -- YUM!

These quakes remind me that I really need to get some drinking water for emergencies. We just drink from the tap because it is soooo good, but that means we don't have any bottled water of any kind sitting around. I'll admit that I haven't had a formal earthquake kit since high school. Other Californians, do you all really have one packed in a box somewhere?

I've had one for "emergencies" though I'm not currently in California, more for snow related disasters. With technology it has been easy to add new things like better filters from REI for individual bottles. My family home is on bedrock and we have natural gas for our appliances so in 1989 I remember we were able to cook, take hot showers, do laundry, and boil water while the power was out. Our phone worked too, but now in the age of cellular most people probably don't have a regular phone, but I keep one because even without paid service you can call 911 if the wired lines are active.

I remember once a year we'd go through the kit and replace items, and since my dad did a lot of that there'd be a few days of eating Spam and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese since he liked those items and put them in the kit. I keep enough water for my cats and I have cans that I rotate out as well as kibble, since my cats eat a special diet, and a litter box and litter. None of my medications need to be refrigerated, but I always have a hoard saved up to last a month and swap it out to keep it fresh.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

Are either of you in buildings above "fill" that isn't actually land but sand, rock, stuff left over from 1906, or sand that can turn unstable due to liquefaction? I'm thinking not since I remember a lot of retrofitting in that area after 1989, and when doing that a lot of archaeology work and I've seen the artifacts from the digging. My dad worked for Southern Pacific at 1 Market Street and their building was fine in 1989, and I got a total flash back about the Embarcadero Freeway.

My work building is on fill. Or at least most of the liquefaction maps show it as on fill. Home is on bedrock.

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I have the same stuff in Idaho in my "emergency kit" that I grew up with in earthquake kits. Water, food (dry and canned stuff, my cat's food, enough for a week), iodine tablets, bucket, shovel, flashlight that works on a crank, radio, batteries, phone cards, emergency blankets, work gloves, first aid kit, camp stove, propane, cookware, cat box & litter. This is all next to my camping gear so I have shelter and I have my bigger cat cage as well as the carriers near it. I need to add some flagging tape and/or spray paint so if there's a need to mark anything or leave messages (like Katrina "1 Dead in Attic" or that someone left the area) I can do that for myself or someone else. Oh and some people keep a fire arm and ammo, as well as some cash.

I've had one for "emergencies" though I'm not currently in California, more for snow related disasters. With technology it has been easy to add new things like better filters from REI for individual bottles. My family home is on bedrock and we have natural gas for our appliances so in 1989 I remember we were able to cook, take hot showers, do laundry, and boil water while the power was out. Our phone worked too, but now in the age of cellular most people probably don't have a regular phone, but I keep one because even without paid service you can call 911 if the wired lines are
Active.

I remember once a year we'd go through the kit and replace items, and since my dad did a lot of that there'd be a few days of eating Spam and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese since he liked those items and put them in the kit. I keep enough water for my cats and I have cans that I rotate out as well as kibble, since my cats eat a special diet, and a litter box and litter. None of my medications need to be refrigerated, but I always have a hoard saved up to last a month and swap it out to keep it fresh.

You are very well prepared - much more than me. I try to go through my kit at least twice a year.

While I am not on any prescription medication, I do include over the counter items like allergy pills, pain relieve medicines as well as a spare tooth brush, toothpaste, hand “washes” in liquid form, and other grooming and toiletries items - including “wipes”. One never knows when those might come in handy.

You noted two areas of importance that many people tend to forget. Items for their pets and cash on hand. I think people are more aware of including items for their pets now. However, many folk tend to forget that if the power is off, for the most part there will not be any ATMs working or any other devices that may need electricity. So having cash on hand is a good idea.

I also include a small notebook that has contact information for both local and out of state contacts. This is case, my mobile phone isn't working. A friend has her contact info laminated on a "one sheet" and includes info about her medical needs on the back.

There is also a neighborhood “meet up” space near my home in case of emergencies which is to serve as a local area for pooling supplies, use of phones, medical attention etc. for general use. The idea is that if those of us who have signed up for the "meet up space" do not show up or contact them to let them know we are fine, then they know to go looking for us.

Originally Posted by christiangirl

No. However, I just Googled it and I happen to have most of that stuff in my apartment anyway.

It is good to have the stuff, but you need to have them all together in one “kit” so that if/when you need to leave your house/apartment ASAP, you may grab your kit – and everything in it - on your way to safety. I keep mine in large backpacks that are tied together. So if/when I grab one backpack, I grab them both.

[modorney]

Just had another one - Richter 3.6 - at the same place as the last ones in Berkeley.

One item to keep for earthquakes is washwater (in addition to drinking water). I fill a couple of five gallon water jugs with tap water and put in a few drops of bleach to keep algae from forming.

As far as phones go, most likely the cell system will be overloaded, so having a land line is handy. If you have a fancy cordless phone system/message machine, etc., make sure you have a plain old dumb (non-ac powered) phone to plug in.

One of those nice topographic atlas map books would be handy if you might have to walk somewhere.