Earthquake Preparedness Plan- Complete Guide and Template

Why Most People Are Completely Unprepared for Earthquakes

You're probably reading this because you saw something on the news about seismic activity. Maybe you felt one recently. Whatever brought you here, you need to understand something first: earthquakes kill people who weren't ready. That's it. That's the whole truth. This isn't about fear. It's about knowing what to do in the first 60 seconds after the ground starts shaking, because those seconds determine whether you live or die.

Understanding What You're Actually Dealing With

Earthquakes happen when tectonic plates shift suddenly. The shaking lasts anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Longer than 30 seconds? You're in serious territory. What you need to know:

You cannot predict earthquakes. No app, no scientist, no warning system gives you meaningful advance notice.
The first tremor is rarely the biggest. Aftershocks can be nearly as dangerous.
Most injuries come from falling objects, not collapsing buildings in modern construction.
fires often start after earthquakes due to broken gas lines.

The ground doesn't care about your schedule. It doesn't care that you're on the 15th floor or that your kid is at school across town.

The 72-Hour Myth (And What You Actually Need)

You've heard "be self-sufficient for 72 hours." That's optimistic garbage. Emergency services will be overwhelmed. Roads will be blocked. Communication will be down. Plan for at least 7 days. If you have the resources, 14 days is better. This means food, water, medicine, and cash that can sustain your household without any external help.

Your Earthquake Emergency Kit: What Actually Goes In It

Skip the fancy "emergency bucket" sold at big box stores. Build your own based on what your family actually needs.

Water (Non-Negotiable)

One gallon per person per day minimum
Account for pets too
7 days = 7 gallons per person. A family of 4 needs 28 gallons.
Store in food-grade containers, rotate every 6 months

Food That Keeps

canned goods (meat, vegetables, beans)
Peanut butter
Crackers and hard cheese
Dried fruit and nuts
Baby food and formula if you have infants
Remember: you need a can opener. Pack a manual one.

First Aid and Medical

Prescription medications for at least 7 days
Blood pressure cuff if someone in your home has heart issues
Pain relievers
Antacid and anti-diarrheal
Bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic
latex gloves

Communication and Documentation

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Whistle (one sharp blast means "help")
Cell phone power bank (keep charged)
Photocopies of important documents: IDs, insurance, medical records, bank info
Cash in small bills ($200 minimum)

Shelter and Warmth

Sleeping bags or warm blankets (one per person)
Tarp and rope
Warm clothing stored in your kit, not your closet
Rain gear

Sanitation

Toilet paper (a LOT)
Garbage bags (heavy duty)
Hand sanitizer
Female supplies

Getting Started: Your Earthquake Preparedness Plan

Step 1: Secure your home first Walk through every room. Identify heavy furniture that could fall. Bookcases, water heaters, flat-screen TVs on stands.

Anchor bookcases to walls with brackets
Strap water heaters to wall studs
Use earthquake putty or museum wax to secure decorative items
Check that your gas line has an automatic shutoff valve, or install one

Step 2: Create your family communication plan Text messages work better than calls after disasters. Phone networks get overloaded.

Designate an out-of-area contact everyone checks in with
Make sure every family member has that number memorized
Agree on a meeting place if you can't get home (choose two: one neighborhood, one regional)
Know your children's school emergency protocols

Step 3: Learn the drop, cover, hold procedure This is the only thing you should do during shaking:

DROP to your hands and knees
COVER your head under a sturdy desk or table
HOLD ON until the shaking stops

Do NOT: run outside while shaking, stand in doorways (modern construction doesn't have load-bearing doorways), or hide under beds. Step 4: Practice Practice your drop, cover, hold. Practice evacuating your home. Run drills with your family. Muscle memory saves lives. Step 5: Sign up for emergency alerts Your local emergency management agency has text and email alert systems. Register now. Search "[your city/county] emergency alerts."

Earthquake Preparedness Plan Template

Print this. Fill it out. Put it on your refrigerator. Give copies to family members.

HOUSEHOLD EARTHQUAKE PLAN

FAMILY MEMBERS:

1. _________________ (Phone: _________________)

2. _________________ (Phone: _________________)

3. _________________ (Phone: _________________)

4. _________________ (Phone: _________________)

OUT-OF-AREA CONTACT:

Name: _________________

Phone: _________________

Relationship: _________________

MEETING PLACES:

Neighborhood: _________________

Regional: _________________

EMERGENCY CONTACTS:

Police/Fire: 911

Gas Company Emergency: _________________

Electric Company: _________________

Insurance Agent: _________________

Doctor: _________________

SCHOOL EMERGENCY CONTACTS:

School 1: _________________

School 2: _________________

EVACUATION ROUTE FROM HOME:

_____________________________

ASSEMBLY POINT:

_____________________________

IMPORTANT DOCUMENT LOCATIONS:

Insurance: _________________

Medical Records: _________________

Bank Info: _________________

Preparedness Levels: What You Actually Need

Most people fall into one of these categories. Be honest with yourself.

Level	What You Have	Reality
Unprepared	Nothing	You are completely dependent on emergency services. If roads are blocked, you wait.
Basic	Flashlight, some water, phone charger	Better than nothing, but you'll run out of water in 24 hours.
Prepared	3-day kit, communication plan, secured furniture	You can handle the immediate aftermath. Most people stop here.
Fully Prepared	7+ day supplies, generator, water filtration, skills	You are genuinely self-sufficient for over a week.

What Happens After the Shaking Stops

Expect aftershocks. They can be almost as strong as the main quake. Stay alert.
Check for injuries. Apply first aid. Don't move seriously injured people unless they're in immediate danger.
Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas, turn off the main valve and get out. Don't use matches or lighters.
Check for structural damage. Cracks in walls are bad. Bulging walls are worse. If your building looks wrong, leave.
Listen to emergency broadcasts. Use your battery-powered radio.
Don't drive unless absolutely necessary. Roads become parking lots. Emergency vehicles need access.

The Hard Truth

You can read every article on earthquake preparedness. You can buy every gadget. But if you don't actually prepare—physically prepare your home and build your kit—you are still unprepared. Most people will read this, feel a moment of concern, and do nothing. Don't be most people. Start today:

Buy a case of water on your next grocery run
Anchor one piece of furniture
Text your family the out-of-area contact's number
Sign up for emergency alerts

That's it. Small steps. Do one today, another tomorrow. When the ground shakes, you'll either be ready or you won't.