Earthquake Warning California Toolkit

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has helped Californians prepare for earthquakes through the Earthquake Warning California campaign. California residents and visitors can find the latest materials, resources, and news relating to the nation’s first statewide, publicly available earthquake warning system at: earthquake.ca.gov. However, we need your help getting the message out!

For Californians, earthquakes are not a matter of if but when. Whether individuals reside, go to school, or work in an area prone to earthquakes, it is essential to have an emergency plan to help reduce the risks of injuries and recover quickly following an earthquake. By helping share information with neighbors, family members, friends, and others within the community, individuals can play a key role in helping others prepare for the next major earthquake. Helping others understand the importance of being earthquake-prepared can reduce the number of injuries and deaths during an earthquake and lead to a quick recovery for a resilient California.

What Can You Do?

Share the following information via social media or newsletter! For questions relating to Earthquake Warning California, email earthquakeinfo@caloes.ca.gov.

Newsletter Language

Use the language below to copy/paste and share with target audiences through email blasts, newsletters, or other channels. We encourage you to share this material if you belong to a home association, club, or social group. Please feel free to tailor or personalize it.

It’s always a good time to prepare for an earthquake. We know that there are many things to be worried about, but when it comes to earthquakes, it is not a matter of if but when one will occur. Earthquakes can cause severe damage to infrastructure and can result in injuries and fatalities. There is no earthquake season — they can strike any time of year.

Cal OES is encouraging Californians to take the time to update their emergency plan, share any emergency preparedness lists with friends and family, and download the MyShake App. So many things in life may catch us off guard, but now, earthquakes don’t have to!

Earthquake Warnings are a Game Changer: Cal OES encourages residents to have a plan for how to protect themselves in the event of an earthquake. If you receive a warning or feel shaking, there are moments to act. People can get a jump start before shaking can be felt. Make sure to take protective actions such as DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON (or LOCK, COVER, and HOLD ON if using a wheelchair).

There may be circumstances where a warning is issued, but no shaking occurs. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to earthquakes. We encourage you to share this information with friends and family in California to help spread the word about the technology available to help keep them safe.

Here are some of the ways to receive earthquake warnings:

•  MyShake App. An app that can be downloaded for mobile devices at no cost from Google Play and the Apple App Store. App users can set up a “HomeBase” location to receive earthquake warnings without having location services turned on.
• Android Earthquake Alerts. Included in new or updated Android devices, the system uses the same technology as the MyShake App.
• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). Text-like messages from the government during emergency situations. This includes Presidential, Imminent Threats (fire, earthquake, floods, etc.), and AMBER alerts.

When an earthquake warning is issued from any of these sources, you should act quickly and take protective actions to stay safe, such as dropping to the ground, covering your head with your arms, and holding onto your neck with both hands until the shaking stops. Do not stand in doorways or near glass windows.

[Insert Name of Organization] encourages you to have a plan for how to protect yourselves in the event of an earthquake, be it onsite, on the road, or at home. If you receive a warning, please be sure to react with the assumption that shaking will occur soon after. There may be circumstances where a warning is issued, but no shaking occurs. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to earthquakes. We encourage you to share this information with friends and family in California to help spread the word about the technology available to help keep them safe.

Please visit earthquake.ca.gov to learn more about the latest tools and resources and how to use them. You can also sign up for a regular partner e-newsletter on the website from Cal OES that includes the latest news and information about Earthquake Warning California.

Social Media Posts

Please consider using social media to help spread awareness about Earthquake Warning California resources. Hashtags (#) help others looking for information to see trending posts while using the “@” symbol to tag other organizations (use @Cal_OES for Twitter and @CaliforniaOES for Facebook).

• #DYK #EarthquakeWarningCA is a free resource Californians can use to be earthquake prepared. Make a safety plan and download free resources like the MyShake App; learn more atca.gov
• #EarthquakeWarningCA is the state’s earthquake preparedness program. Be in the know and go to ca.gov to learn about:

– Important tips like drop, cover and hold on

– Life-saving alerts like MyShakeApp

– Other ways to receive notifications

• ca.gov offers important tips to be earthquake prepared like drop, cover, and hold on, and free resources like the MyShake App. Californians can now be one step ahead of an earthquake

• Californians can now be one step ahead of an earthquake with @CalOES’s #EarthquakeWarningCA and life-saving apps like the MyShape App. Learn more about tips and tricks to be earthquake prepared at earthquake.ca.gov

• Do you have a plan in place for an unexpected quake? Californians are encouraged to check out free resources at ca.gov. With #EarthquakeWarningCA resources, you can come up with an emergency preparedness plan, download life-saving apps like the MyShake App, and important tips like drop, cover, and hold on

• Be in the know when an earthquake hits! Develop an emergency preparedness plan and practice it with your family. ca.gov offers free resources like the MyShake App and important tips like drop, cover, and hold on. Be earthquake ready with #EarthquakeWarningCA