KENNEWICK, Wash. – Unlike other natural disasters, scientists can’t predict when an earthquake will strike. The only way to be ready for an earthquake is to prepare ahead of time.
“You want to know different ways to evacuate if you need to evacuate,” Brittany Sadro, a community volunteer leader with the Red Cross said. “So know two different ways to get out of your area or your house to get somewhere safer. You want to have at least three days of food and water for your family.”
Preparation can be simple. Making a go bag with essential supplies like water, flashlights, batteries and medication is a crucial step. Having a designated meeting point in case family members get separated is also very helpful.
Doug Gibbons, a research engineer with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, explained the unpredictable nature of earthquakes.
“In the Yakima area, there are a series of east to west trending fault lines that can produce medium to large size earthquakes. They have not in the historical past, but we do know that they are capable,” Gibbons said.
The Network has detected small quakes near Hanford recently, though they were too minor to be felt. The most notable earthquake in recent years on Washington’s east side was a magnitude-4 quake in 2015.
Earthquakes aren’t as common on the eastern side of the state, but it’s still important to be prepared for the worst.
“I know earthquakes don’t happen a lot, but it’s nice to be prepared for when they do happen,” Sadro said. “So it’s really nice to learn about what you need to prepare for ahead of time. So when it happens, you’re just ready to go.”
More information about the Red Cross and its preparation for earthquakes can be found here.
