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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Most Likely Emergencies in PA

    Earthquakes

    An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Moving ground, falling objects, and damage to buildings can cause injury.

    A mother and daughter prepare for an earthquake by seeking protection under a sturdy table.

    Overview

    While earthquakes in Pennsylvania are not common, they can and do happen. It's important to know what to do, and to practice now so that if an earthquake does happen, we can act quickly to stay safe.

    Stay Safe No Matter Where You Are

    We don't know where we will be when an earthquake happens. Stay safe no matter the situation:
     

    In A Car

    Pull over and stop. Set the parking brake.

    In Bed

    Turn face down. Cover head and neck with pillow.

    Outside

    Stay outside, away from buildings.

     

    Inside

    Stay. Don't run outside. Avoid doorways.

    Take Action

    Feel a shake?  1. Drop.  2. Cover.  3. Hold On.

    Pictograph shows: 1. A person bending down to the ground. 2. A person locating a table and crawling under it. 3. A person holding onto the table with one arm.
    1. 1

      Drop

      Drop wherever you are. Get down on your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy.

    2. 2

      Cover

      Cover your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl under it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl way from windows, next to an interior wall. Crawl only if you can reach better cover without going to an area with more debris. Stay on your knees/bent over to protect vital organs.

    3. 3

      Hold On

      Under a table or desk? Hold on with one hand. Be ready to move with the table or desk if it moves. If you're seated and unable to drop to the floor: Bend forward. Cover your head with your arms. Hold onto your neck with both hands.

    Modified for Mobility Aids

    The "drop, cover, and hold on" process looks a little different for people who use wheelchairs, canes, or walkers.

    Pictograph: A person in a wheelchair 1. locking their wheels, 2. covering their head and neck 3. staying seated and covered.
    1. 1

      Lock

      Lock your wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops.

    2. 2

      Cover

      Cover your head and neck with your arms.

    3. 3

      Hold On

      Bend forward, cover your head with your arms, and hold onto your neck with both hands until shaking stops. 

    Pictograph shows 1. a person with a cane bending down. 2. Person crawling under a table while keeping the cane nearby. 3. A person covering their head and neck while holding onto the table for support.
    1. 1

      Drop

      Drop down on your hands and knees using your cane for assistance. Keep cane nearby.

    2. 2

      Cover

      Cover your head and neck with your arms. If you are able to, crawl under a  nearby sturdy table or desk. 

    3. 3

      Hold On

      If under a table or desk, hold onto it with one hand. Continue covering your head with your other arm.

    Pictograph shows: 1. A person using a walker. 2. A person bending down near their walker while covering their head and neck with their hands and arms. 3. A person using the seat on their walker to remain bent forward while covering their head and neck with their hands and arms.
    1. 1

      Lock

      Lock the wheels of your walker.

    2. 2

      Cover

      Crouch down to protect vital organs. Cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

    3. 3

      Hold On

      If your walker has a seat, sit there while crouching down and covering your head and neck with your arms and hands.

    Be prepared for aftershocks, and be ready to once again drop, cover, and hold on. Aftershocks ususally aren't as powerful as the main earthquake, but they can cause additional damage and weaken structures.

    Rubble and debris scattered on the ground after a serious earthquake.

    If You Ever Become Trapped

    If you ever become trapped under debris, follow these four simple tips:

    1. Do not light a match.
    2. Do not move around or kick up dust.
    3. If possible, cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
    4.  Send a text or tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Shouting could cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
       

    Earthquakes Can Be Life-Threatening

    The Great Shake Out helpfully points out that past earthquake experiences can give us a false sense of safety.

    Maybe we ran outside, which is inadvisable, yet survived with no injuries. Maybe we did nothing. Or did the right thing and took cover under our desk, but our coworkers laughed and told us we overreacted to a little bit of shaking.

    Act after the first jolt you feel. Don't wait to see if shaking is strong enough to warrant action.


    In those cases, we didn't experience the kind of strong shaking that is possible in a life-threatening earthquake. Back-and-forth motions of several feet per second can cause the floor/ground to jerk sideways and out from under us. Unsecured objects could fall, topple, or become airborne.

    The Great Shake Out advises learning to immediately protect ourselves after the first jolt we feel. We should never wait to see if shaking will be strong enough to warrant action.

    Resources

    The Great Shake Out has graphics, videos, and information in 16 languages to help everyone stay safe during an earthquake.

    Great Shake Out Website
    Brick rowhomes along a residential street in Center City, Philadelphia.


    Prepare Your Home Today

    We can make our homes safer now. That way, if we do have the misfortune of encountering an earthquake, we can minimize the chance of injury and loss.
     

    3 Quick Tips

    1. Make sure shelves are securely fastened to walls.
    2. Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.
    3. Move heavy hanging items (pictures, mirrors, etc.) away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
       

    Consider Repairs

    Have a licensed professional repair:

    1. Defective electrical wiring
    2. Leaky gas lines
    3. Inflexible utility connections (Did you know? Flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage.)    
       

    Store Potentially Dangerous Items

    Where possible, store these items in low, closed cabinets (preferably with latches:

    • Breakable items
    • Large, heavy objects
    • Weed killers, pesticides, flammables
       

    Look Around

    Locate safe spots in each room. Sturdy desks/tables where you can seek shelter are best. Inside walls are the next best choice.
     

    Talk About It

    Chat with your family members about earthquakes so everyone knows what to do.