How to Prepare for Earthquakes and Natural Disasters in the South Bay of Los Angeles
Living in Southern California comes with its perks—sunshine, beaches, and stunning landscapes—but it also brings the risk of natural disasters. Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and landslides are all real threats in the South Bay of Los Angeles. While these disasters can strike without warning, being prepared is the best way to protect your family and community. September is National Emergency Preparedness Month, making now the perfect time to ensure you’re ready for anything. Here’s how you can prepare for natural disasters specific to the South Bay area.
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Sign Up for Alerts
- Alert Southbay: Alert SouthBay sends emergency alerts and instructions specific to the region. By utilizing an integrated and standardized cross-jurisdictional notification platform, they aim to minimize loss of life and mitigate damage to property and the environment.
- Nixle Alerts: Nixle offers a reliable way to stay informed during emergencies. Subscribe to local Nixle alerts for real-time updates on severe weather, earthquakes, road closures, and other potential hazards in the South Bay. You can customize your alerts by zip code to ensure you receive the most relevant information.
- Torrance Alerts: Residents of Torrance can sign up for Torrance Alerts, an emergency notification system that delivers real-time updates via phone, text, and email. This service informs residents about earthquakes, severe weather, public safety emergencies, and road closures specific to Torrance, helping the community stay informed and prepared.
- The Emergency Alert System will broadcast on KNX 1070 AM and KFI 640 AM.
- Visit Alert LA County to add cell phones, VOIP phones, emails, and additional addresses where you would like to receive alerts. The Alert LA County database automatically includes listed and unlisted land line telephone numbers, so they do not need to be registered.
- MyShake App: This free smartphone app offers iPhone and Android users audio and visual alerts for seismic events measuring 4.5 or higher in magnitude, as well as Modified Mercalli Intensity III (weak) shaking. Available at in the Apple App and Google Play stores;
- Android Earthquake Alerts: Android phones running updated operating systems are automatically enrolled in Android Earthquake Alerts, utilizing the same technology as the MyShake app.
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): No-cost text messaging services are available for emergency situations involving seismic activity of magnitude 5.0 or higher, as well as Modified Mercalli Intensity IV (light) shaking.
You can also view a list of emergency notification systems used by other jurisdictions in Los Angeles County.
The website accessibleemergencyinfo.com has preparedness information in Braille and videos in ASL.
Know the non-emergency phone numbers for your local fire station, police station and hospital. Keep these stored in your phone.
Additional Resources:
Earthquake Country Alliance earthquakecountry.info
The Great California Shake Out shakeout.org
American Red Cross preparesocal.org
Earthquake Preparedness Tips
To prepare for an earthquake develop a disaster plan that includes assembling an emergency kit stocked with essentials like a first aid kit, and food and water. Water supplies should include at least a gallon of water per person and make sure that food is nonperishable. Don’t forget to include your pets as well in the food and water supplies.
It is also important to consider the functional needs of your family members, ensuring your emergency kit caters to everyone’s requirements, including any prescription medicines in addition to the general supplies in a first aid kit. Assemble a disaster supplies kit that includes a first aid kit, emergency financial resources, and necessary items for people with disabilities.
As you prepare for an earthquake, think about your family’s needs and how you will communicate and meet those requirements during an emergency. The American Red Cross and FEMA provide resources for creating an emergency preparedness strategy, ensuring that you can evacuate safely if needed. Discuss different scenarios ahead of time on what the plan is should your family be separated in the event of an emergency.
Install smoke detectors, have a fire extinguisher, and know how to shut off your gas, power and water. It is not advisable to turn off the gas unless you know a gas line has been ruptured or you smell gas. Prepare for the needs of the disabled or those who need special assistance.
Natural Hazards Caused by Earthquakes: Floods, Tsunamis, Landslides
Preparing for disaster also means understanding the natural hazards that may follow an earthquake. Living along the coast in the South Bay region means understanding that the area can be prone to tsunamis, floods, and landslides in the aftermath of a major earthquake. Research if you live in a flood-prone area of the South Bay and know your evacuation routes. Learn more about tsunami warnings and what to do if you’re near the coast during a tsunami alert.
If you do live in a flood prone area make sure your emergency supplies are prepared to withstand getting wet. Have waterproof bags for important documents, and pack supplies, like clothes and toiletries in ziptop bags.
If you’re a renter, obtaining renter’s insurance can offer additional peace of mind. If you’re a homeowner, look into retrofitting your home to withstand seismic activity, as well as shoreing up the land it sits in to prevent land shifting.
Make Your Emergency Plan
Don’t wait for the next big earthquake to get ready. Prepare for the worst case scenario with these simple steps:
- Identify exit routes from your home. Your main exit may be blocked.
- Choose two places to meet after a disaster. One near your home, and the other should be farther away in case the entire area is affected.
- Choose an out of state contact, and make sure everyone has that contact information. A long distance call may be easier to make as local phone lines might be affected.
- Try emailing and texting if phones are down.
- Store emergency contact info in your cell phone under “ICE” for In Case of Emergency.
- Have all emergency contact information written down and store it with your emergency kit. Keep a copy in your wallet.
- Periodically practice and reevaluate your plan.
Build Your Emergency Kit
It is important to have supplies on hand in order to survive if an emergency occurs. The following is a list of some basic items for your Emergency Prep Kit:
- Individual Kit: Three days of supplies for one person in a backpack. Keep one at home, one in your car, and one at work.
- Family Kit for Home: Minimum 7 days of supplies for the entire family to be kept at home in a sturdy, water tight container.
- By the Bed Kit: Sturdy pair of shoes, flashlight, and glasses if you wear them.
- Water: Clean water may not be accessible. It is important to store plenty of water, and know how to access alternative sources of water like, melted ice cubes, your water heater, etc. Buy one gallon of drinking water for each family member. Have a 3 day supply for evacuation and a minimum 7 day supply for home.
- Food: Store non-perishable, ready-to-eat food. Suggestions are canned meat, tuna, vegetables, fruits, and soup than can be consumed cold right out of the can. Have a 3 day supply for evacuation and a minimum 7 day supply for home.
sosproducts.com for long term food and MRE’s - Utensils: With all the canned food you have in storage, make sure you have a manual can opener, and disposable plates, napkins and cups.
- Flashlight and Portable Radio: You will need light and a radio for news updates. Combination equipment is available. This particular one provides a portable radio, light, and a port for charging cellphones.
- Extra Batteries: Make sure you have spare batteries in the correct size.
- Sleeping Bags/Blankets: Have a sleeping bag for each member of the family in case you have to sleep outside of the house. Include blankets and small pillows.
Emergency blankets can be purchased and take up less room. - Extra Clothes: Keep an extra change of clothes for each family member stored in a water-proof bag.
- Towels: Have towels of all kinds and sizes.
- First-aid and Medication: A water proof kit that is easy to carry. Include bandages and antibiotic ointments for treating minor wounds, and items for treating headaches, diarrhea, and allergies. Family members who take regular prescription drugs, should have a 7 day supply. Include a mini first-aid book.
- Sanitary and Hygiene Items: Stock up on toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine supplies, diapers. Include chlorine bleach and an eyedropper for use as a disinfectant. Have trash bags on hand for toilet needs.
- Tools: Important tools to have on hand include, scissors, screwdriver, knife, hammer and pliers. Include a whistle (to let others know your whereabouts), duct tape, working gloves, and matches in a ziplock bag.
- Cellphone, chargers and family contact information: Make sure your cellphones are always charged and have back up portable chargers handy. One of my favorite portable chargers that fits nicely in a purse is Jackery Mini. It is also a good idea to have a corded-non electric phone because in a power outage, cordless phones do not work. Use the internet and social media if possible to be in communication.
- Important Documents: In the case of abandoning your house during an emergency, it would be good to have your important documents with you when you leave. Make sure these are in ziplock bags for protection and stored in a bag ready to be carried any time. Important documents to consider are, deed or lease to house, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, proof of residence, medical information and prescriptions. I like this file to store everything, it’s easy to grab and go.
- Extra Cash: Your credit cards might not work. Have ready cash in order to purchase supplies. Good to have some coins too!
- Special supplies for baby, elderly, pets and disabled family members: If you have a baby or toddler, make sure you have your baby supplies like bottles, milk formula and baby food. For elderly or disabled members, do not forget to pack walking canes, hearing aids, dentures, glasses, etc.
- Entertainment: If you have young children, have something for their entertainment that is small enough to squeeze in your bag. These may include crayons and coloring book, small portable version of a game, a small car or doll.
- Pet Supplies: Pets are part of the family too! Pack a bag with food, a bowl, leash, carrier, pet identification, vaccination records and a photo of your pet.
- Paper and pencil/pens: These will come in handy to write down any important info as well as help keep kids entertained.
More Ways to Prepare
Engage in community preparedness programs, look for free emergency workshops that help you learn proactive steps you can take. If you have young kids, play a game with family and make it a fun challenge to practice your emergency skills, like staying away from windows or getting under a table or desk during shaking to ensure that everyone knows what to do when disaster strikes. Remember to test your plan regularly, and always have a strategy in place to for when the next big quake might hit.
Being prepared is the best way to protect your family and community from natural disasters. Don’t wait until it’s too late—start now!
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