UPDATE: Here's the definitive emergency preparedness document from the LA Fire Dept. You should download and read it carefully. Then get prepared. You never know.
At 11:42 AM today, an earthquake hit the Los Angeles region. I'm sure anyone reading this knows that by now. My staff and I were all at the church and we were actually gathering a small group to walk to the Metro Red Line to head to City Hall for a committee meeting regarding affordable housing. The small quake (officially 5.4) rattled a few books and other things off my shelves, which aren't anchored down.
I was sitting at my desk when the rumbling started and I thought to myself, "Hmmm, an earthquake." But I kept working for about 2 seconds until there was a big punch. I can't imagine how quick I jumped out of my chair and ran for the door. Our staff was tripping over each other on the way out.
For a few seconds we wondered whether we should ride the Metro ("maybe there will be aftershocks") but I remembered hearing that the Metro tunnels are some of the safest places in Los Angeles during an earthquake.
For a while now we've been hearing that Los Angeles is due for a "big one." Today wasn't it. Many say we dodged a bullet. As a kid growing up in Southern California I've endured many an earthquake. I was on the third floor of Granger Hall at Pacific Union College for the 1989 earthquake that rocked San Francisco and safely in the Sacramento area for the Northridge earthquake of 1994. This is the first one since I moved back three years ago. It has made me realize that I'm really being stupid by not being more prepared. So I'm pledging to take this summer and make sure my family and I are prepared. This is a wake up call.
Glad it wasn't the big one & that everyone is OK--though I see you have a library to tidy!
Posted by: Jeff Crocombe | July 30, 2008 at 02:58 AM
You should leave your books like that, now your office feels lived in.
Posted by: david Oceguera | July 30, 2008 at 10:37 AM
i should be more prepared too...i should just know what the heck to do during an earthquake. you should have seen me...totally clueless. it was quite hilarious actually. my first one ever. now i am going to have to figure out what "prepared" means and then do that :)
Posted by: julia | July 30, 2008 at 07:54 PM