With April being observed as Earthquake Preparedness Month, some residents in the Central Valley area reported feeling the Monday evening, April 13 shaker that struck in western Nevada. It occurred just before 6:30 p.m. and was a reported 5.5 magnitude earthquake that struck 12 miles southeast of Silver Springs at a depth of six miles. That put it some 45 miles east of Reno, 150 miles east/northeast of Sacramento. But some Central Valley residents did report feeling the quake, albeit for just a few seconds.
As seismic hazards are a year-round concern for millions of residents, this month serves as an essential reminder that preparedness can save lives.
April also marks an important historical milestone for the state. On April 18, 1906, a devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck San Francisco, killing approximately 3,000 people and destroying more than 28,000 buildings. More than a century later, the danger to California residents is still significant, and the lessons from 1906 remain urgent.
As California continues to lead the country in emergency management and disaster preparedness, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is also home to the Earthquake Warning California program. In observance of Earthquake Preparedness Month, Cal OES wants you to be ready. Earthquake Warning California is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system giving California residents crucial seconds to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
Known for its frequent seismic activity, Californians have experienced some notable earthquakes, from the Bay Area to Southern California, in just the past few weeks.
That’s why OES officials said knowing what to do if an earthquake hits is essential because it’s not if, but when, it happens.
Earthquake Preparedness Tips
Receive alerts before shaking starts, sign up for:
MyShake App
Local government emergency alerts
Know how to protect yourself during an earthquake:
Drop to the ground, Cover your head with your arms, and Hold onto your neck until shaking stops
Develop an emergency preparedness plan:
Create a customized emergency plan for your specific needs
Know your evacuation routes
Pack an emergency supply kit – a Go Bag or Stay Box:
Your emergency kit should address all daily needs
Visit myhazards.caloes.ca.gov to learn about local risks.
Preparing for earthquakes and knowing what to do after one happens can save lives. Start at home by securing top-heavy furniture and make a plan before the next big earthquake. Check in with your family, friends, and loved ones and make sure that they’re prepared as well. Find earthquake-ready tips and more at earthquake.ca.gov.
Cal OES serves as the state’s leadership hub during all major emergencies and disasters. This includes responding, directing, and coordinating state and federal resources and mutual aid assets across all regions to support communities across the state.
California’s Earthquake Early Warning System provides advance notification before shaking occurs. With more than 4.45 million downloads, the MyShake App detects significant earthquakes quickly so alerts can notify Californians to take protective actions when seismic activity is occurring at their location.
