GuidesEnvironmental and housing risk7 min read

California earthquake preparedness for households

California households face a shaking risk almost everywhere in the state, so the plan is less about warning time and more about what is already bolted down and stored.

Secure the building and the heavy things inside it

Most injuries and most repair bills come from movement, not collapse. Fix the cheap items first.

Strap water heaters and anchor tall furniture, bookcases, and televisions to studs
Ask a contractor about foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing on pre-1980 houses
Add latches to kitchen cabinets and move heavy items to low shelves
Keep shoes and a flashlight in a bag tied to the bed frame

Store a week of water, not three days

California water systems can stay down or under a boil notice for longer than a typical storm outage, especially in hillside and older neighborhoods.

One gallon per person per day for seven days, plus water for pets
A wrench for the gas meter and a written rule to shut it off only if you smell or hear gas
Food that needs no cooking, plus a camp stove used outdoors only
A hand-crank or battery radio, since cell service is often the first thing to fail

Understand what your insurance does and does not cover

Standard California homeowners and renters policies exclude earthquake shake damage. Coverage is a separate policy, usually through the California Earthquake Authority.

Check whether you hold a CEA or private earthquake policy at all
Read the deductible, which is a percentage of the dwelling limit, not a flat amount
Confirm loss-of-use coverage so a red-tagged home does not mean paying two housing costs
Photograph rooms and keep a home inventory off-site for the claim

Set up alerts and a reunion plan

Shaking alerts arrive seconds ahead, which is enough to get under a table. The rest of the plan is about finding each other after.

Turn on earthquake alerts on your phone and install MyShake
Agree on one out-of-area contact, since local lines jam before long-distance ones
Pick a meeting spot outside the house and a second one outside the neighborhood
Learn your school's release policy and who is authorized for pickup

After the shaking stops

Aftershocks follow, so the first hour is about safety checks rather than cleanup.

Check people first, then gas, water, and electrical for damage
Wear sturdy shoes and gloves around broken glass and fallen contents
Text rather than call, and use one short status message
Do not re-enter a visibly damaged building until it is inspected

Common questions

Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes in California?

No. Shake damage is excluded from standard homeowners and renters policies. You need a separate earthquake policy, most commonly from the California Earthquake Authority through your existing insurer.

How much water should a California household store?

Plan for one gallon per person per day for at least seven days, plus water for pets. Repairs to water mains after a large quake can take longer than a typical storm outage.

Should I shut off the gas after an earthquake?

Only if you smell gas, hear hissing, or see damage to the meter or lines. Shutting it off unnecessarily means waiting for the utility to restore service, which can take days.

See where your household stands

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