Earthquake Near Me: What to Do Before, During, and After - Complete Safety Guide

Understanding Earthquakes and Why Preparation Saves Lives

When the ground starts shaking beneath your feet, the decisions you make in the next few seconds can determine whether you walk away unharmed or end up in a dangerous situation. Earthquakes strike without warning — there’s no siren, no advance alert, no countdown. One moment everything is normal, and the next, the floor is rolling like ocean waves beneath you.

This guide is written for anyone who lives in or near a seismically active zone — which, as it turns out, includes far more people than most realize. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that roughly 143 million Americans live in areas with significant earthquake hazard, spanning 42 states. Globally, the numbers are staggering: over 500,000 detectable earthquakes occur each year, with about 100,000 strong enough for people to feel and roughly 100 causing real damage.

Whether you just felt your first tremor, moved to a new city and noticed “earthquake near me” trending on your phone, or simply want to be better prepared for the next one, this guide walks you through everything step by step. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know how to prepare your home, protect yourself during shaking, respond safely afterward, and use modern tools to track seismic activity near your location.

No specialized equipment is required. Most of the preparation costs nothing. And the entire process — from assembling an emergency kit to earthquake-proofing your living space — can be completed over a single weekend. The difficulty level is low; the payoff is enormous.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Getting Started

Before diving into the step-by-step process, gather a few essentials:

• A smartphone or computer — for accessing the USGS earthquake tracker, setting up alerts, and checking local seismic history
• Basic emergency supplies — water, non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, first aid kit (budget: $50–$150 for a household of four)
• Furniture anchoring hardware — L-brackets, furniture straps, museum putty (budget: $20–$60)
• A household plan — you’ll need 15 minutes with everyone in your household to discuss roles and meeting points
• Your home’s structural basics — know whether you live in a wood-frame, masonry, or concrete building, and whether you’re on a slab or raised foundation

Total estimated cost: $70–$210. Time investment: 4–8 hours spread over a weekend.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Your Complete Earthquake Safety Plan

Step 1: Assess Your Earthquake Risk

Start by understanding exactly how much seismic risk exists where you live. Visit the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program website and enter your address. The interactive hazard map shows your area’s probability of experiencing various levels of ground shaking over the next 50 years.

Key things to look for:

• Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) — measured as a percentage of gravity. Areas with 20%g or higher face significant risk.
• Nearby fault lines — the USGS Quaternary Fault database shows active faults within your region.
• Recent seismic activity — the “Latest Earthquakes” map displays all detected earthquakes in real time. Filter by your region and check the past 30 days.

Tip: Don’t assume you’re safe just because you don’t live in California. The New Madrid Seismic Zone in the central U.S., the Cascadia Subduction Zone in the Pacific Northwest, and the Wasatch Fault in Utah all pose serious threats. Oklahoma experienced more magnitude 3.0+ earthquakes than California in 2015 due to induced seismicity from wastewater injection.

Step 2: Set Up Real-Time Earthquake Alerts

Modern technology gives you tools that previous generations never had. Set up multiple alert systems so you’re informed the moment seismic activity happens near you.

• USGS Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) — sign up at earthquake.usgs.gov/ens. Customize alerts by magnitude threshold and distance from your location. Recommended: magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles.
• ShakeAlert (West Coast U.S.) — this early warning system can give you seconds to tens of seconds of warning before shaking arrives. Download the MyShake app (Android/iOS) or enable earthquake alerts in your phone’s built-in settings.
• Google Android Earthquake Alerts — Android phones with version 5.0+ automatically participate in a global earthquake detection network using built-in accelerometers. Enable this in Settings → Safety → Earthquake alerts.
• Local emergency apps — FEMA app, local county emergency management apps, and Citizen app all provide earthquake notifications.

Tip: Set your phone to bypass Do Not Disturb mode for emergency alerts. In both iOS and Android, government alerts (including earthquake warnings) can be configured to always sound.

Step 3: Build Your Earthquake Emergency Kit

FEMA recommends supplies for a minimum of 72 hours. Experienced emergency managers in earthquake-prone areas suggest planning for 7–14 days, because major earthquakes can disrupt supply chains for weeks.

Your kit should include:

• Water: 1 gallon per person per day. A family of four needs 12 gallons minimum for 3 days, 28 gallons for a week.
• Food: Canned goods, protein bars, dried fruit, peanut butter. No cooking required options are essential since gas lines may be shut off.
• First aid kit: Include prescription medications, pain relievers, bandages, antiseptic, and any personal medical devices.
• Flashlight and extra batteries: LED headlamps are ideal because they free your hands. Avoid candles — gas leaks after earthquakes make open flames dangerous.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio: Cell towers may go down. NOAA Weather Radio provides emergency broadcasts.
• Cash: ATMs and card readers won’t work during power outages. Keep $200–$500 in small bills.
• Important documents: Copies of IDs, insurance policies, and medical records in a waterproof bag.
• Wrench or pliers: For shutting off gas and water valves.
• Dust masks and heavy-duty gloves: Collapsed structures create airborne debris.

Tip: Store your kit in an easily accessible location near an exterior door — not buried in a closet. If your home is structurally compromised, you may need to grab it and leave quickly. Keep a smaller version in your car.

Step 4: Earthquake-Proof Your Living Space

Most earthquake injuries happen from falling objects, not structural collapse. Securing your furniture and belongings takes a few hours and dramatically reduces injury risk.

Priority items to secure:

• Tall bookcases and shelving units: Anchor to wall studs using L-brackets or furniture straps. IKEA includes anti-tip hardware with most tall furniture — actually use it.
• Water heater: Strap it to the wall with earthquake-rated metal straps. An unstrapped 50-gallon water heater weighing 400+ pounds becomes a projectile during strong shaking. Many municipalities require this by code.
• Televisions and monitors: Use anti-tip straps for units on stands. Wall-mounted TVs should use rated brackets secured to studs, not drywall anchors.
• Kitchen cabinets: Install childproof latches to prevent doors from flying open and ejecting dishes, glasses, and heavy cookware.
• Heavy artwork and mirrors: Use closed hooks instead of open ones. Museum putty secures smaller items on shelves.
• Gas appliances: Use flexible gas connectors for stoves, dryers, and water heaters. Rigid connections can snap during shaking, causing gas leaks.

Tip: Walk through every room and ask: “If this room were shaken violently for 30 seconds, what would fall on me, block exits, or break dangerously?” Fix those things first.

Step 5: Identify Safe Spots in Every Room

The old advice to stand in a doorway is outdated for modern buildings. In contemporary construction, doorways offer no more protection than any other part of the structure. The current expert recommendation from FEMA, the American Red Cross, and the USGS is “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.”

In each room, identify:

• Sturdy furniture — desks, heavy tables, or workbenches you can get under
• Interior walls — away from windows, mirrors, heavy hanging objects, and exterior walls
• Clear zones — spaces free from heavy objects that could fall

Map out your safe spots for: bedrooms (especially important since many earthquakes hit at night), kitchen, living room, office/workspace, and any room where you spend significant time.

Tip: Practice getting to your safe spot quickly. During actual shaking, you may have only 2–5 seconds before the intensity makes movement difficult or dangerous.

Step 6: Create a Family Communication Plan

After a major earthquake, local phone networks are typically overwhelmed. Calls to numbers within the affected area often fail, but text messages and calls to out-of-area numbers usually go through.

Your plan should include:

• An out-of-area contact person — someone 200+ miles away who everyone checks in with. This person becomes the communication hub.
• A meeting point near your home — a neighbor’s yard, a specific street corner, a park. Somewhere visible and safe from falling debris.
• A secondary meeting point — in case the neighborhood is inaccessible. A school, community center, or other landmark.
• Children’s school/daycare pickup protocols — know your school’s earthquake policy. Most schools will not release children until a designated adult arrives.

Write this plan on a card that each family member carries. Don’t rely on phone contacts alone — your phone battery may die, or the device may be damaged.

Step 7: Know What to Do During an Earthquake

When shaking starts, your response depends on where you are:

Indoors:

• DROP to your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked down and allows you to crawl to safety.
• COVER your head and neck under sturdy furniture. If no furniture is available, crouch against an interior wall and cover your head with your arms.
• HOLD ON to your shelter and be prepared to move with it. Earthquake shaking can shift furniture across a room.

Outdoors: Move to an open area away from buildings, power lines, trees, and streetlights. Drop and cover your head.

In a car: Pull over to a clear area. Avoid bridges, overpasses, power lines, and buildings. Stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on until shaking stops.

In bed: Stay in bed. Turn face-down and cover your head and neck with your pillow. Getting up in the dark while the floor is moving leads to injuries from stepping on broken glass or tripping over displaced furniture.

Tip: The shaking typically lasts 10–60 seconds for moderate earthquakes. Major earthquakes can shake for 2–5 minutes. It will feel much longer than it actually is. Stay in position until the shaking completely stops.

Step 8: Execute Your Post-Earthquake Checklist

The minutes and hours after shaking stops are critical. Follow this sequence:

• Check yourself for injuries. Address serious bleeding or wounds before helping others.
• Check on others nearby. Call out to family members or coworkers. Don’t move seriously injured people unless they’re in immediate danger.
• Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas (rotten egg odor) or hear hissing, open windows, leave immediately, and shut off the gas meter outside if you can safely reach it. Do NOT use light switches, lighters, matches, or anything that creates a spark.
• Check for structural damage. Look for cracks in walls, shifted foundations, leaning walls, or broken chimneys. If the building looks unsafe, leave.
• Put on sturdy shoes. Broken glass will be everywhere — on floors, in hallways, on sidewalks.
• Turn on your battery-powered radio for emergency information and instructions.
• Text your out-of-area contact. Keep the message short: your location, your status, and who is with you.
• Be prepared for aftershocks. Aftershocks can occur minutes to months after the initial earthquake. Some aftershocks are strong enough to cause additional damage, especially to structures weakened by the mainshock.

Step 9: Use Technology to Track Aftershocks and Ongoing Activity

After the initial earthquake, monitoring ongoing seismic activity helps you make informed decisions about re-entering buildings and understanding your risk level.

• USGS Latest Earthquakes map: Real-time data for earthquakes worldwide. Filter by magnitude and time range. The map typically updates within 1–5 minutes of a detected event.
• USGS “Did You Feel It?” reports: After any felt earthquake, submit your experience. This crowdsourced data helps seismologists map the intensity of shaking across the affected area, and helps you understand how your experience compares to others nearby.
• Aftershock forecasts: After significant earthquakes (magnitude 5.0+), the USGS issues aftershock probability forecasts. These tell you the likelihood of aftershocks above various magnitudes over the next day, week, and month.

Tip: Earthquake swarms — clusters of small earthquakes in a short period — sometimes precede larger events, though this is uncommon. If you notice increasing frequency or magnitude in your area, take it as a signal to double-check your preparedness.

Step 10: Review, Maintain, and Update Your Preparedness Annually

Earthquake preparedness isn’t a one-time activity. Set a calendar reminder to review your plan every year (many people choose the anniversary of a notable earthquake as a reminder).

Annual review checklist:

• Rotate water and food supplies — check expiration dates
• Replace batteries in flashlights and radios
• Update emergency contact information
• Verify that furniture anchoring is still secure
• Review children’s school emergency protocols (these change)
• Check insurance coverage — standard homeowner policies do NOT cover earthquake damage. Earthquake insurance is a separate policy.
• Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” with your household

Common Mistakes People Make During and After Earthquakes

Running Outside During Shaking

This is one of the most dangerous things you can do. The area immediately outside buildings — known as the “fall zone” — is where facades, glass, bricks, and roofing materials rain down during shaking. In the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, more people were injured running outside than were hurt by building collapse. Instead, drop, cover, and hold on where you are. Move outside only after shaking stops, and then move away from buildings quickly.

Standing in a Doorway

This advice dates from observations of old adobe homes where the door frame was sometimes the only part left standing. In modern wood-frame and steel construction, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the structure — and standing in a doorway means you can’t protect your head and you may be hit by a swinging door. Instead, get under a sturdy table or desk.

Ignoring Aftershock Risk

After a moderate-to-large earthquake, people often rush back into damaged buildings to retrieve belongings. Aftershocks can collapse structures that were weakened but still standing after the mainshock. The 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake (magnitude 6.2) was actually an aftershock of a larger event five months earlier, and it caused far more casualties because people were inside damaged buildings. Instead, wait for professional assessment before re-entering any building showing visible damage.

Not Shutting Off Gas

Post-earthquake fires caused more damage than the shaking itself in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the 1994 Northridge earthquake. If you smell gas or see a broken gas line, shut off the main valve immediately. But here’s the critical detail: once you turn off the gas, do NOT turn it back on yourself. Only a qualified technician should restore gas service. Instead, know where your gas meter is and keep the right wrench attached to it with a zip tie.

Relying Solely on Phone Calls for Communication

Voice networks overload within minutes of a significant earthquake. In the 2014 Napa earthquake, phone networks experienced a 600% increase in call volume in the first hour. Instead, use text messages (SMS), which use far less bandwidth and queue up for delivery. Better yet, use messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal that use data networks, which are often less congested than voice circuits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out if there was an earthquake near me right now?

The fastest way is to check the USGS Latest Earthquakes page at earthquake.usgs.gov. It displays all detected earthquakes in near real-time, usually within 1–5 minutes. You can filter by time range and zoom to your location. The USGS Earthquake Notification Service also sends emails or texts automatically when earthquakes above your chosen magnitude threshold occur within a specified distance of your location. Social media platforms like Twitter/X often show reports faster than official sources, but the information is less reliable — always verify with USGS data.

Can earthquakes be predicted?

No. Despite decades of research, no reliable method exists to predict the exact time, location, and magnitude of an earthquake before it occurs. What scientists can do is provide probabilistic hazard assessments — meaning they can estimate the likelihood of a certain magnitude earthquake occurring in a given area over a given time period. The USGS National Seismic Hazard Model does exactly this. Early warning systems like ShakeAlert don’t predict earthquakes; they detect them at the epicenter and send alerts to areas farther away before the seismic waves arrive, providing seconds to tens of seconds of warning.

Should I get earthquake insurance?

Standard homeowner and renter insurance policies in the United States do NOT cover earthquake damage. A separate earthquake insurance policy is required. Whether it’s worth the cost depends on your specific risk level, the value of your property, and the deductible (typically 10–20% of the coverage amount, which is significantly higher than standard insurance deductibles). In California, the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is the primary provider. In other states, earthquake endorsements are available through most major insurers. If you’re in a high-hazard zone and own your home, the consensus among financial planners is that earthquake insurance is worth the premium.

What magnitude earthquake can I feel?

Most people begin to feel earthquakes at around magnitude 2.5 to 3.0, though this depends heavily on distance from the epicenter, depth of the earthquake, soil conditions, and whether you’re sitting still or moving. A magnitude 3.0 earthquake at shallow depth directly beneath you will feel like a sharp jolt or a truck hitting your building. A magnitude 4.0 shakes the room noticeably and rattles dishes. By magnitude 5.0, damage to poorly constructed buildings begins. Magnitude 6.0+ is considered strong and can cause significant damage over a wide area. The scale is logarithmic: each whole number increase represents roughly 31.6 times more energy released.

Are small earthquakes a sign that a bigger one is coming?

Not necessarily. Small earthquakes are extremely common — thousands occur every day worldwide. In most cases, small earthquakes are simply the normal background activity of tectonic plates. However, in some cases, a series of small earthquakes (an “earthquake swarm”) can precede a larger event. This happened before the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake in Italy. The problem is that swarms are also very common without a larger earthquake following. Scientists currently have no reliable way to distinguish a swarm that will lead to a major earthquake from one that won’t. The safest approach is to treat any increase in seismic activity as a reminder to verify your preparedness.

Summary and Next Steps

Here’s what you’ve learned and should act on:

• Assess your risk using the USGS hazard maps and recent earthquake data for your area
• Set up alerts through USGS ENS, ShakeAlert/MyShake, and your phone’s built-in earthquake detection
• Build an emergency kit covering 3–14 days of supplies for your household ($70–$210)
• Secure your home by anchoring furniture, strapping your water heater, and installing cabinet latches
• Identify safe spots in every room and practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On
• Create a communication plan with an out-of-area contact and designated meeting points
• Know the correct response — indoors, outdoors, in a car, and in bed
• Monitor aftershocks using USGS tools and avoid re-entering damaged structures
• Review annually — rotate supplies, update contacts, check anchoring, review insurance

Your immediate next steps:

• Spend 10 minutes on the USGS earthquake map checking your area’s recent activity and hazard level
• Download the MyShake app and enable your phone’s earthquake alerts
• This weekend, take 2 hours to secure your tallest furniture and build a basic emergency kit
• Tonight at dinner, discuss a family communication plan and choose an out-of-area contact
• Look into earthquake insurance if you own property in a moderate or high hazard zone

Earthquakes are one of the few natural disasters that give zero advance warning. But that doesn’t mean you have to be unprepared. Every step you take now — from strapping a bookcase to the wall to knowing where the gas shutoff valve is — shifts the odds dramatically in your favor. The ground may move without warning, but your response doesn’t have to be improvised.