Ten years after the Nisqually Earthquake shook the Northwest, Bellevue’s Office of Emergency Management is inviting people to join in a conversation on its <a href=”http://www.facebook.com/BellevueOEM”> Facebook page</a>. Visitors are asked how the Nisqually earthquake impacted them and what steps they’re taking to be ready for another one.
The Nisqually Earthquake was 32 miles deep and had an epicenter in southern Puget Sound. It caused mild damage in the Bellevue area compared to what could happen if the Northwest is jolted by a shallow earth quake along the Seattle Fault, which runs east-west through the middle of Bellevue.
Of all of the natural disasters people in the Northwest may encounter, an earthquake has the greatest potential for major damage to the community, city officials say.
They add that the risks from earthquakes can be reduced significantly by taking action in advance to ensure that people stay safe and recover quickly.
Here are few simple steps people can to prepare for earthquakes, and other emergencies:
Create an emergency plan for you and your family.
Keep an emergency kit on hand that can sustain your household for three days or longer.
Identify an out of area emergency point of contact for your family.
Learn life-saving skills such as first aid and CPR, or how to use a defibrillator.
Talk to you family, friends and co-workers about earthquake preparedness.