California Earthquake Resources

Natural disasters occur without warning. Therefore, assembling an earthquake kit in advance and generally planning ahead are key to survival and recovery when an event occurs. Thankfully, there are a number of government agencies, nonprofits and businesses that help citizens prepare wisely, minimize danger and recover. Take time now to familiarize yourself with these resources so that you can take appropriate action as needed.

The following resources will help you and your household to stay safe and prepare yourselves and your property for an earthquake. As you prepare, you'll feel more confident and secure. Together we can improve safety, and we can also clean up and recover when necessary.

The ​Department of Homeland Security​ website provides information to help you prepare now, survive during an earthquake and act safely immediately after an event. Each link at Ready.gov includes related links with finer details to help you prepare no matter what your individual needs and circumstances are:

• Be Informed: Earthquakes
  
• Make a Plan: Shelter, Evacuation, Household Communication
  
• Get Involved: Before a Disaster Occurs
  

The ​American Red Cross​ provides online help before, during and after an earthquake at Earthquake Safety. In addition, the Red Cross has five regional offices in California. Click on links below to find a local office and note the contact information with your important documents and on your cell phone. Local offices will coordinate and provide tangible services, such as:

• Conducting search and rescue efforts.
  
• Providing medical care.
• Serving food and water.
  
• Distributing relief supplies.
  
• Building an emergency shelter.
• Restoring communications.
  

The American Red Cross also helps people with recovering emotionally. For free 24/7 counseling or support, contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746. If you are in immediate need of help, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross listed below:

• American Red Cross of Central California serves

Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura

counties.

1. Kern County & Eastern Sierra: Bakersfield: 661-324-6427
   
2. Pacific Coast: Camarillo: 805-987-1514; Santa Barbara: 805-687-1331
   
3. Central Valley: Fresno: 559-455-1000
   
4. Ventura County:

Camarillo: 805-987-1514

5. Pacific Coast:

San Luis Obispo: 805-543-0696

• American Red Cross of Southern California serves San Diego, Orange, Riverside, Imperial and San Bernardino counties.
  

1. Orange County: Santa Ana: 714-481-5300
   
2. Riverside County: Riverside: 888-831-0031
3. San Diego and Imperial counties: San Diego Regional Headquarters: 858-309-1200; El Centro: 760-352-4541
4. San Bernardino County:

Rancho Cucamonga: 909-888-1481

• American Red Cross Gold Country Region consists of two chapters,

the Northern California Chapter and the Sierra-Delta Chapter.

1. Northern California Chapter:

Yuba City: 530-673-1460

2. Sierra-Delta Chapter:

Sacramento: 916-993-7070

• American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region is composed of five chapters and serves 16 counties.

1. Bay Area: San Francisco: 415-427-8000
2. North Bay: Santa Rosa: 707-577-7600
3. Central Coast: Carmel: 831-624-6921
4. Silicon Valley: San Jose: 877-727-6771
5. Heart of the Valley: Stockton: 800-733-2767

• American Red Cross Los Angeles Region consists of five local chapters.
  

1. Los Angeles Regional Headquarters: 310-445-9900
   
2. Greater Long Beach, South Bay, and Metro and Southeast Los Angeles: Long Beach: 562-595-6341
   
3. Santa Monica Bay: Santa Monica: 310-394-3773
   
4. San Gabriel Pomona Valley:

Arcadia: 626-447-2193

5. Northern Valleys: Glendale: 818-243-3121

• Twentynine Palms U.S. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center: 760-830-6685
• Fort Irwin: 760-380-3697
  

• The ​California Governor's Office of Emergency Services​ (Cal OES) was tasked by the governor to support and enhance preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. Resources for planning and preparation, as well as Earthquake Recovery, are available on this site.
  
  
• Contact the ​California Earthquake Authority​ for information about earthquake insurance and how to prepare your house. Earthquake damage isn't covered by a conventional home policy.
  
  
• ​The Great California ShakeOut​ is an annual event to share information and encourage people to practice how to be safer during earthquakes. Partners and sponsors of the event encourage you to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies, secure your space, prepare financially, improve safety, and reconnect and recover after an earthquake.
  
  
• The ​Federal Emergency Management Agency​ (FEMA) coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, responding to and recovering from disasters. The FEMA Earthquake Risk webpage provides information to help you before, during and after an earthquake.
  
  
• The ​United States Geological Survey​ (USGS) includes numerous links to earthquake resources and educational material.
  
  
• The ​California Integrated Seismic Network​ (CISN) is a collaboration of the California Geological Survey, Caltech Seismological Laboratory, Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, USGS Menlo Park, USGS Pasadena and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. CISN's mission includes earthquake monitoring and disseminating critical earthquake information in a timely way. Currently, the group is prototyping an early warning ShakeAlert for U.S. West Coast residents.