Earthquake info, earthquake safety and earthquake preparation tips for Las Vegas residents

Earthquake info, earthquake safety and earthquake preparation tips for Las Vegas residents

Southern Nevada Earthquake Information

When you mention Southern Nevada, or Las Vegas, many people will naturally associate words like casino gambling, nightclubs and partying with the gaming mecca. Not earthquakes.

The truth is that Southern Nevada is at risk for a major earthquake and that risk is far bigger than people may have realized.

The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMAG) says, “Nevada is Earthquake Country”.

Jobs from Indeed

jobs by

Geologist Jon Price, while acknowledging that the risk is low within the next 45 years still predicts that that there will be a major earthquake that will claim the lives of 2,300 people.

The National Earthquake Safety Council (NESC) and the NBMAG rank Nevada as third in the nation for being at risk for large magnitude seismic activity, behind Alaska and California.

Researchers at UNLV say that Las Vegas is at high risk for casualties and structural damage from a large magnitude earthquake, due to increased population density because buildings are built to withstand the pull of gravity downward but earthquakes move structures in all directions.

Earthquake safety and earthquake preparation

Earthquake safety and earthquake preparation go hand-in-hand.

Being prepared before disaster strikes by maintaining an earthquake preparation kit will help keep you safe.

A freeway collapsed during 1989 San Francisco earthquake.(Photo: SanAndreasFault.org)

Earthquake preparation might save your life!

General earthquake preparations

• Secure tabletop possession in your home such as computers, televisions and lamps.
• Install latches on kitchen and bathroom cabinets to prevent them from flying open.
• Install a security coating on sliding glass door and other panes of glass in your home to prevent glass from shattering. the glass will still break but it will be held together by the film without glass shard flying around.
• Anchor water heaters and propane tanks.

Earthquake preparation kit

A basic earthquake preparation kit should include:

• Unscented bleach.
• An emergency water supply of one gallon of water per person per day for both drinking and for sanitation.  Increase the total amount if you have pets, Bleach can be used to disinfect water. The CDC recommends printing this flyer and keeping it with your water supply.
• An emergency three day food supply of non-perishable or freeze dried storable food.
• Soap
• Manual can opener
• Paper towels
• Recent photo of family members, including pets.
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Whistle
• Maps
• Cell phone, charger, extra batteries.
• A wrench and a few other small tools
• Medications
• Cash, credit/debit card.
• Duffle bag to store emergency supplies.

Pet supply kit

• 2 bowl with covers; one for pet food and one for water.
• Pet food
• Plastic bags and newspaper
• Litter box and liners
• Pet First aid kit
• Pet medication
• Leash, harness and sweater
• Grooming supplies
• A few toys
• Blanket

Earthquake safety during an earthquake

• If you are outside, stay outside and duck, cover your head and hold on.
• If you are inside, take cover underneath heavy furniture.
• Try not to panic and use telephone, including cells, only for emergencies.
• If you have a pet that is inside a crate, experts recommend to leave your pet in the crate.

Opinions differ on whether you should hold on to your pet or not. You know your pet best.  Most will run and try and find a safe place to hide during an earthquake.

A major earthquake may not rock Las Vegas for many years.

Still, the old adage, “Better safe than sorry” applies so that you can better protect yourself and your loved ones when and if disaster strikes.

Related articles

• The Weather Service office – inside and out

Follow