According to USGS, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Lamont, California on Tuesday evening which shook the greater Los Angeles area. Their forecast states that there is a chance of at least one aftershock within the next week.
With so many quakes in the past month, Angelenos need to ask themselves if they are properly prepared.
Take a moment now to ensure your Grab-N-Go Bag is stocked and accessible if you must leave immediately. Having one at home, in your vehicle, and at your workplace is a good way to be ready wherever you are when an emergency strikes.
How to Make a Grab-N-Go Bag
Here’s a checklist of the basic items to include in a Grab-N-Go Bag the ever-vigilant nonprofit Emergency Preparedness in Calabasas, a Fire Safe Council (EPIC-FSC). Last night’s 5.2 earthquake near Bakersfield is a reminder that emergencies can happen without warning. Having your Grab-N-Go Bag ready and being prepared can make all the difference.
Feel free to customize yours to suit your individual needs.
- Food and Water: Pack ready-to-eat food and enough water (two quarts/half a gallon per person daily, doubling this amount in hot conditions or for cleaning/hygiene).
- Communication Tools: Include a phone, battery charger (both AC outlet and car types), and extra batteries.
- Radio and Flashlight: A small battery-powered or hand-crank radio and flashlight(s) with extra batteries.
- First-Aid Kit and Medications: A small first-aid kit and any personal medications you may need.
- Personal Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene items.
- Glasses or Contact Lenses: An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses.
- Seasonal Clothing: Appropriate clothing for the season and an emergency blanket.
- Pets: Food and water for three days and medications if needed.
- Cash: Small bills for any immediate purchases or needs.
- Pen and Notepad: For taking notes or leaving messages.
- Manual Can Opener and Disposable Utensils: To open canned goods and for eating.
- Face Masks: N95 masks to protect against dust and smoke.
For a complete checklist and other important emergency documents, visit the resources page of the EPIC comprehensive website.
Damaging earthquakes can occur in the future, so remember to: Drop, Cover, and Hold on.
More earthquakes than usual (called aftershocks) will continue to occur near the mainshock. The mainshock is the largest earthquake in a sequence (a series of earthquakes related to each other).
When there are more earthquakes, the chance of a large earthquake is greater which means that the chance of damage is greater.
No one can predict the exact time or place of any earthquake, including aftershocks. Our aftershock forecasts give us an understanding of the chances of having more earthquakes within a given time period in the affected area.
