Earthquake Procedures

If you are inside

Drop

Drop down onto your hands and knees (before the earthquake knocks you down). This position protects you from falling but allows you to still move if necessary.

Cover

Cover your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, only then should you get down near an interior wall (or next to low-lying furniture that won't fall on you), and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

Hold on

Hold on to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.

• Stay away from windows, shelves with heavy objects or hazardous materials.
• Do not pull the fire alarm unless there is a fire.
• Do not try to move when the ground is shaking.
• Wait 60 seconds after the shaking stops before moving from your position.
• Be prepared for aftershocks. You may need to take cover again.
• Do not use elevators.
• Check carefully for falling debris before evacuating.
• When it is safe, go the Emergency Assembly Point.
• Do not re-enter buildings until the all clear has been given by emergency personnel.
• Do not leave campus until you have checked in with an emergency warden or instructor to let them know you are safe. If you don’t check in, they may think you are injured somewhere and responders will be looking for you.

If you are outside

• Stay outside.
• Stay in an open area away from trees and power lines.
• Do not re-enter buildings.
• When shaking has stopped, go to an Emergency Assembly Point if safe to do so.