Preparing for Disasters King COUNTY EMERGENCY Management

WHAT IS “preparedness”?

What are the local hazards? Terrorist activity and civil action Wildland urban interface fire Accidental and intentional infrastructure failure Pandemic What are the local hazards? Earthquake Landslide Tsunami Volcanic If you plan for an earthquake, you’re likely prepare for every other hazard. Reason? Earthquakes present a “worst case scenario” for impacts to communities. Climate change Drought Flood Severe weather

What is your risk? Quake advice Don’t run during shaking Drop, cover, and hold under a desk or table If there is not a table find the nearest safe place beside an inside wall or lower than furnishings; get into a corner against a support column If outside and in an open area, sit down and cover your head with your arms If outside and in the danger zone next to a building, try to get back into the building to find shelter

EARTHQUAKES IN KING COUNTY Crustal or shallow quakes Deep earthquakes Subduction zone earthquakes

EARTHQUAKES IN KING COUNTY Crustal or shallow quakes Deep earthquakes Subduction zone earthquakes

EARTHQUAKES: WHAT TO EXPECT The things you rely on will be significantly disrupted People may not be able to get anywhere easily Stores will quickly run out of supplies Utilities may be damaged (electricity, water, sewer) Gas stations and ATMs may not work Hospitals may be overwhelmed Phones, cable TV, internet may not work First responders may not be able to help you for some time

EARTHQUAKES: WHAT TO EXPECT The things you rely on will be significantly disrupted People may not be able to get anywhere easily Stores will quickly run out of supplies Utilities may be damaged (electricity, water, sewer) Gas stations and ATMs may not work Hospitals may be overwhelmed Phones, cable TV, internet may not work First responders may not be able to help you for some time

EARTHQUAKES: WHAT TO EXPECT The things you rely on will be significantly disrupted People may not be able to get anywhere easily Stores will quickly run out of supplies Utilities may be damaged (electricity, water, sewer) Gas stations and ATMs may not work Hospitals may be overwhelmed Phones, cable TV, internet may not work First responders may not be able to help you for some time

FRED MEYER, 2-7-19

FRED MEYER, 2-7-19

EARTHQUAKES: WHAT TO EXPECT The things you rely on will be significantly disrupted People may not be able to get anywhere easily Stores will quickly run out of supplies Utilities may be damaged (electricity, water, sewer) Gas stations and ATMs may not work Hospitals may be overwhelmed Phones, cable TV, internet may not work First responders may not be able to help you for some time

EARTHQUAKES: WHAT TO EXPECT The things you rely on will be significantly disrupted People may not be able to get anywhere easily Stores will quickly run out of supplies Utilities may be damaged (electricity, water, sewer) Gas stations and ATMs may not work Hospitals may be overwhelmed Phones, cable TV, internet may not work First responders may not be able to help you for some time

EARTHQUAKES: WHAT TO EXPECT The things you rely on will be significantly disrupted People may not be able to get anywhere easily Stores will quickly run out of supplies Utilities may be damaged (electricity, water, sewer) Gas stations and ATMs may not work Hospitals may be overwhelmed Phones, cable TV, internet may not work First responders may not be able to help you for some time

WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE Quake advice Don’t run during shaking Drop, cover, and hold under a desk or table If there is not a table find the nearest safe place beside an inside wall or lower than furnishings; get into a corner against a support column If outside and in an open area, sit down and cover your head with your arms If outside and in the danger zone next to a building, try to get back into the building to find shelter

Develop a plan Consider the following: How will you reunite with family? Know alternative routes home and to work. Know plans for work, children’s schools or day care. What if you have no electricity? What if you have no water services? Include the following in your communications plan: Texting is your best option Establish text messages groups Social media Don’t make calls unless absolutely necessary

Build a kit Be prepared to be on your own for 7-10 days Think about what you use on a daily basis, and include those items in your kit Have a kit in your car and at work

PETS TOO Make sure your pet is microchipped Talk with a neighbor about checking on your pet if you are away during the day or night Preidentify places that take pets if you are asked to evacuate.

Water tips & Storage Water Tips: 1 gallon of water per day per person Utilize existing water sources – hot water tanks, back of toilets Some people may need more water – nursing moms, children, sick residents, locations that are warm Commercially bought water Fill your own bottles of water – clean with 1 teaspoon of bleach and a gallon of water Never use milk or juice bottles to refill *remember your hot water tank and toilets are good sources of water

Retrofit your home Other things you can do to prepare include retrofitting your home and securing heavy objects: Secure the following: Large furniture Wall hangings Kitchen cabinets & contents Water heater Washer/dryer Stoves Hazardous materials Go on a 30 minute hazard hunt Was your home build before 1980? Think about a retrofit class

Know how and when to control utilities Shut off water at the main house valve Typically located right outside your house or inside This saves the water in your hot water heater and toilet water from contamination Turn off power to the water heater – attach a hose Shut off natural gas ONLY if necessary Only shut if off if you smell natural gas, hear a hissing sound, or dial is spinning rapidly Check to see if your home sustained structural damage Rope off damaged areas so others know

What to do after an earthquake Check on yourself, your family, and/or loved ones for injuries Check on your home Check on others Find out more information

SIGN-UP FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS Staying informed is critical! Tune in to local TV and Radio Register for emergency alerts. Receive timely notifications about: Emergency situations Threats to public health and safety Significant impacts to major infrastructure www.kingcounty.gov/alert www.alert.seattle.gov

SIGN-UP FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS Staying informed is critical! Tune in to local TV and Radio Register for emergency alerts. Receive timely notifications about: Emergency situations Threats to public health and safety Significant impacts to major infrastructure www.kingcounty.gov/alert www.alert.seattle.gov

Stay Informed Find out what is happening in the region Get ALERT King County or ALERT Seattle messages Sign-up at kingcounty.gov/alert or alert.seattle.gov Tune into local emergency radio stations AM 710, AM 1000, FM 97.3, FM 97.7, FM 88.5 and FM 94.9 Tune into local television Check social media @KingCountyWA @AlertSeattle @OEMSeattle