10 Simple And Sane Disaster Preparations For California And The Pacific Rim

Google Earth earthquake global map.

The Pacific Rim is dangerously active today, so simple preparations are wise.

Everyone should be prepared for upcoming natural disasters knocking at the door, but if you live along the USA’s Pacific Rim, I especially suggest checking off these simple, and very sane, list items:

  1. Keep your gas tanks full; fuel stations typically shut down after a natural disaster, and if you are away from home, a full tank might get you home safely;
  2. Have cash on hand; ATMs depend on electricity, which can go down after natural disasters;
  3. Keep 2 weeks worth of bottled water stored; it is common to get very thirsty when potable water isn’t available;
  4. Have dried food on hand, especially food high in protein;
  5. Keep extra pet food in the cupboard; your pets will get hungry, too;
  6. Have several flashlights and lots of extra batteries in storage;
  7. Keep propane tanks filled and a generator handy;
  8. Have firewood and matches on hand; this can be used for heating and cooking;
  9. Fill an extra prescription of any medications you may be taking, such as insulin or birth control;
  10. Have access to a form of self-defense; hide a gun, knife, wire, rope, or a big stick.

If you have a 2 week supply of these life-support items (1 month for medications), you can more comfortably remain close to home until the power comes back on and the streets clear.

A picture of the New York City buildings.

Simply stay prepared for natural disasters, especially if you live in a big city.

No one wants to live in fear of Mother Nature, but reality is in front of us – natural disasters are on the rise all over the world, and the US is starting to experience its share of earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes and severe storms.

When you and your family are prepared, then the chaos becomes more manageable, and your family is prepared for the inevitable. It is better safe than sorry …..

6.5 Quake Hits Central Taiwan

A USGS map of Taiwan June 2, 2013 earthquake.

A 6.5 (downgraded to 6.2) magnitude earthquake hit central Taiwan, June 2, 2013 – USGS. (click to enlarge)

No destructive tsunami was generated when a 6.5 magnitude earthquake (later downgraded to a 6.2) hit central Taiwan, June 2, 2013.  Earthquakes this size, however, can generate local tsunamis along the coasts located within 62 miles (100 km) of a quake’s epicenter.

Luckily, Hong Kong is located 502 miles (808 km) SSW of Taiwan. The Taiwan Strait separates Hong Kong and Taiwan, located between the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

More Quakes Along The Ring of Fire

A picture of the Earth and the Ring of Fire with rising magma along the tectonic plates and cracks near Papua New Guinea.

The Ring of Fire is very active right now.

Several large earthquakes are occurring along the Pacific Rim, including the 6.5 (6.2) quake in Taiwan.

  1. 5.1, 5. 0 & 4.9  Papua New Guinea
  2. 4.9  Carmen, Philippines
  3. 4.3 & 4.5  Guatemala
  4. 5.1  South Fiji Islands
  5. 4.8  Petropovlovsk, Russia
  6. 5.0  Nicaragua
  7. 2- 3.4  The Geysers, California
  8. 5.5  Solomon Islands
  9. 4.6  Chile
  10. 4.3  Kushiro, Japan
  11. 4.0  Colombia
  12. 5.1   Policarpo, Philippines

And it’s merely noon in the States …