Many people do not realize that Charleston is in an earthquake zone. In 1886, an earthquake with a magnitude estimated between 6.9 and 7.3 caused 100 deaths and damage to about 7,000 buildings.
According to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), approximately 10 to 15 earthquakes are recorded annually in South Carolina. About 70% of them are located in the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone. This is why we need to know what to do in case we have an earthquake. The US Geological Survey has provided the following tips:
- If you are indoors – stay there. Get under a desk or table and hang on to it (Drop, Cover and Hold On) or move into a hallway or against an inside wall. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. Don’t run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.
- If you are outside — get into the open, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.
- If you are driving — stop, but carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. Do not stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops. When you resume driving, watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road. Bridges are particularly hazardous as the ground approaching the bridge could be compromised and the bridge itself could have structural damage.
Click here for a pdf that you can put on your refrigerator as a reminder of what to do to stay safe during an earthquake. It also has information on what to do if you have mobility or accessibility issues. SCMED has a guide to earthquakes that can be found by clicking here.
Another important issue is insurance. Does your homeowner’s insurance policy have earthquake protection? Some policies do and others don’t.
Remember, be prepared; stay safe.
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: USGS)