1. Preparing for Disasters
King COUNTY EMERGENCY Management

2. WHAT IS “preparedness”?

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. FRED MEYER,

11. FRED MEYER,

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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