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| Earthquake
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Although no major earthquakes are on record for Philadelphia, tremors occasionally occur. Residents and businesses should be prepared by knowing what do to during and after an earthquake. Download the Earthquake Safety Flyer.
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During an Earthquake |
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If Indoors |
If Outdoors |
- DROP to the ground.
- Take COVER under a sturdy table.
- HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
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- STAY outdoors.
- MOVE AWAY from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
- Once in the open, STAY there until the shaking stops.
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If there is no table or desk near you:
- COVER your face and head with your arms.
- CROUCH in an inside corner of the building.
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If you are in a moving vehicle:
- STOP as quickly as safety permits.
- STAY in the vehicle.
- AVOID STOPPING near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, utility wires.
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Do:
- STAY INSIDE until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside.
- STAY AWAY from glass, windows, outside doors, walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
- BE AWARE that electricity may go out and sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
Warning! Do Not:
- EXIT a building during that shaking.
- USE the elevators.
Why Most Injuries Happen:
Most injuries happen when people inside building try to move to a different location inside or try to leave the building. |
Where are the greatest dangers?
- Directly outside buildings.
- At exits.
- Alongside exterior walls.
Why Most Casualties Happen:
Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.
Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury.
Lessons Learned
Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. |
After an Earthquake:
- When the shaking stops, look around to make sure it is safe to move.
- Listen for instructions from building management or your supervisors. Building management will coordinate with officials to determine if evacuation is warranted.
- Shelting in place (remaining in your building) is often the safest response to an emergency situation.
- If an evacuation is recommended, proceed to your pre-designated Rallying Point, if your High-Rise Office Building has one. A Rallying Point is typically a park or other public space nearby where further instruction will be given or where further evacuation steps will be taken.
- Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are often less violent than the main quake but may cause additional damage to weakened structures.
- Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
- Listen to a battery-operated or wind up radio or television, signup for emergency text or email alerts from ReadyNotifyPA, follow the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management at PhilaOEM on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, and MySpace. You can also read our blog for additional information or watch our preparedness videos on YouTube.
- Telephone lines may be overloaded. Use the telephone ONLY when there is an imminent threat to health and safety for emergency calls to 911.
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Prepare Now |
| FEMA
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Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management
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