Earthquake Preparedness Checklist

By Quake Tracker Live Editorial · Published November 9, 2026

Preparing for an earthquake is not about expecting the worst. It is about making the first few days after a strong earthquake easier. Water, power and phone service can fail, roads may be blocked, and emergency responders will be busy with the most serious cases. Emergency-management agencies such as FEMA recommend that households be ready to take care of themselves for at least several days.

This checklist draws on guidance from FEMA (Ready.gov), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Earthquake Country Alliance. You do not need to do everything at once. Start with the first section and work down. If you want to know how hazardous your region is, see our guide to U.S. earthquake zones.

Step 1: Build an emergency kit

Keep supplies in a sturdy bag or bin in an easy-to-reach place, such as a closet near an exit or the garage. Assume you may need to leave quickly or stay home without services.

Smaller kits for other places

• Car: water, snacks, a blanket, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, comfortable shoes and a phone charger. Keep the fuel tank at least half full if you can.
• Work or school: a small bag with shoes, water, a flashlight and any medication. Ask your employer or school what their earthquake plan is.

Step 2: Make a family plan

In the first minutes after an earthquake you may not be with the people you care about. A plan helps everyone stay calm and know what to do.

1. Agree on what to do during shaking. Everyone in the household should know Drop, Cover and Hold On, and practice it. See what to do during an earthquake.
2. Choose two meeting places: one just outside your home, and one outside your neighborhood in case you cannot go home.
3. Pick an out-of-area contact. After a local disaster, it is often easier to send a text to someone in another state than to reach someone down the street. Make sure everyone has that number saved and written down.
4. Use texts, not calls. Texts use less network capacity and often get through when voice calls do not.
5. Plan for children, older adults and pets. Know your school's and workplace's procedures for picking up family members, and who can help neighbors who need assistance.
6. Practice twice a year. The Great ShakeOut drill takes place each October and is a good reminder. Update contacts and replace expired supplies at the same time.

Step 3: Make your home safer

Many earthquake injuries come from objects falling or moving. These steps are relatively inexpensive, and you can do many of them in a weekend.

• Anchor tall furniture such as bookcases, shelves, cabinets and dressers to wall studs with brackets or straps. Don't anchor to drywall alone.
• Secure TVs, computers and large appliances with straps or museum putty where appropriate.
• Store heavy objects low and keep nothing heavy over beds, couches or desks.
• Latch cabinet doors that hold glass or heavy items. Use latches that stay closed when shaken, not just child-proof types.
• Strap your water heater to the wall studs. A tipped heater is a fire, flooding and gas-leak risk and also a source of emergency drinking water if it stays intact.
• Secure hanging items such as mirrors, framed pictures and lights, and use closed hooks.
• Learn your utilities. Know where the main water valve, electrical panel and gas shutoff are, and have the right tool. Only shut off gas if you suspect a leak, because it must be turned back on by the utility.
• Check for hazards in your yard, garage and chimney, such as loose masonry. Consider flexible connectors on gas appliances.

The building itself

If you live in an older home, ask a licensed contractor or structural engineer whether it is bolted to its foundation and whether there are weak points such as a garage with a large opening below living space (a "soft story"), or short "cripple" walls under the floor. In California and other states, retrofit programs and grants exist for some of these upgrades. Check with your state or city, since availability changes.

Step 4: Insurance and money

• Standard homeowners and renters insurance generally does not cover earthquake damage. Earthquake coverage is usually a separate policy or an endorsement, often with a high deductible. Ask your insurer what is available and what it covers.
• Document your belongings with photos or video, and store them off site or in the cloud.
• Keep some cash in small bills. If power is out, card readers and ATMs may not work.
• Review the federal and state resources that may be available after a declared disaster at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Step 5: Stay informed

• Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone, and learn about local alert systems. In California, Oregon and Washington, the USGS ShakeAlert system can send alerts seconds before strong shaking arrives.
• Follow the USGS and your local emergency management office for information after an event.
• Use this site for situational awareness, not for warning. Quake Tracker Live shows earthquakes after they are detected and reported, so it cannot warn you before shaking. Check the live map or today's earthquakes, and see our note on aftershocks for what to expect once a large event has happened.

A simple 30-day plan

1. Week 1: put a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each bed. Agree on the household's plan and out-of-area contact.
2. Week 2: anchor the tallest and heaviest furniture, and move heavy items to low shelves.
3. Week 3: buy water and food for three days, and gather first aid supplies and medications.
4. Week 4: strap the water heater, learn the utility shutoffs, check insurance, and run a Drop, Cover and Hold On drill.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and further reading

• FEMA / Ready.gov: Earthquakes
• Ready.gov: Build a kit
• USGS: ShakeAlert earthquake early warning
• Earthquake Country Alliance: Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety

This guide is general information, not professional or emergency advice. Quake Tracker Live is not an official warning system; follow instructions from local authorities.