Earthquake Warning California
Summer 2021 Toolkit

Thank you for your continuous support of the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) statewide Earthquake Warning California program. As recent earthquake activity across California reminds us, earthquakes are a reality in California and helping communities across the state be earthquake prepared can help reduce injuries and deaths, and mitigate catastrophe. To help make it easy for partners to spread the word about resources available from Earthquake Warning California (including the free MyShake App), Cal OES created this toolkit that can be tailored and shared to others in the community that would benefit, such as employees, clients, family, neighbors, and colleagues. Please feel free to copy/paste and share the information below among your networks.

The toolkit includes:

• Newsletter language that can be used in e-mail communications or mailers;
• Social media text that can be tailored and shared on social media channels; and
• Social media graphics that can be used along with the social media text to make posts visually appealing for audiences.

For further information and resources about Earthquake Warning California, please visit earthquake.ca.gov. Thank you for your continued partnership and helping to build a resilient California.

Kind regards,
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Earthquake Warning California

Newsletter Language

This summer, don’t let an earthquake catch you off guard! The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) launched the first ever statewide public earthquake warning system, Earthquake Warning California. Californians can receive earthquake warnings with the state’s free MyShake App, which can be downloaded on the Apple App Store or Google Play on smartphones or tablets. The MyShake App is currently available in English and Spanish, with other languages in the works. The technology links mobile devices with ground sensors to send warnings to those in the nearby area when significant shaking is detected so that individuals have a few extra moments to take protective actions, such as to drop, cover, and hold on.

Earthquake Warning California also includes Android Earthquake Alerts that are built into new and updated Android devices and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) for WEA-capable mobile devices. Cal OES encourages individuals with WEA-capable mobile devices to still download the MyShake App, since the MyShake App and Android Earthquake Alerts are issued when a magnitude 4.5 earthquake is anticipated, while WEAs will alert users when a 5.0 magnitude earthquake is expected.

How does it work?

The MyShake App uses technology that includes seismic sensors located deep in the ground. When shaking is detected, the system issues a warning to nearby mobile devices. For this reason, MyShake App and Android Earthquake Alert users must set their app location settings to “always on” to ensure they receive an earthquake warning even if the app isn’t open.

The MyShake App and Android Earthquake Alerts issue warnings when a 4.5 magnitude earthquake is anticipated, while WEAs are sent when a 5.0 magnitude earthquake is expected. The length of warning depends on a number of factors, including how big the earthquake is, how deep it started in the earth, how close the seismic sensors are to each other, and how quickly the data can move from the seismic sensors to MyShake users.

There may be times where an alert is issued and no shaking is felt. Cal OES reminds Californians to always react with the assumption that shaking is about to occur when they receive an alert. Do not take shelter in a doorway, near glass windows, or large structures that can be compromised in an earthquake, such as freeway overpasses.

When you receive an earthquake warning alert or start to feel shaking, be sure to drop, cover, and hold on until shaking stops. When seeking cover, make sure your entire body is underneath a sturdy table or desk, or get down near an interior wall or low-lying furniture that will not topple over. If driving, safely pull over to the side of the road and pull the parking brake. With appropriate planning and preparation, you can be one step ahead of an earthquake, prevent injuries, and help build a resilient community.

To learn more about Earthquake Warning California, the MyShake App, or the other earthquake warning resources, visit earthquake.ca.gov.

Social Media Posts

The following can be tailored and copy / pasted to social media channels to encourage followers to download the MyShake App and learn about Earthquake Warning California. You can also tag Cal OES in your post (Twitter: @Cal_OES / Facebook: @CaliforniaOES).

• Regardless where you are in California, the #MyShakeApp helps you be one step ahead of an #earthquake with earthquake warnings.
• Californians can receive #earthquake warnings for quakes that are 4.5M or higher via the free #MyShakeApp. Learn more at earthquake.ca.gov
• California residents can download (@cal_oes/@CaliforniaOES)’s free #earthquake warning app, #MyShakeApp, designed to provide several seconds of warning so that you can drop, cover, and hold on.
• If you aren’t already #earthquake prepared, one easy step is to download the free #MyShakeApp. Be sure to turn location services to “always on” to receive warnings for earthquakes 4.5M or larger.
• When you receive a #MyShakeApp warning or feel shaking, be sure to drop, cover, and hold on until shaking stops. #EarthquakeWarningCA offers resources at earthquake.ca.gov.
• The #MyShakeApp gives California residents the ability to receive #earthquake warnings. Learn more at earthquake.ca.gov