Monday, May 20, 2013
Weather
Thursday’s Earthquake Prompts Alaskans To Prepare For The Next Big OneMagnitude 5.3 shaker was felt throughout Anchorage and the Mat-Su ValleyANCHORAGE—It was quite the wake-up call Thursday morning, and not just because a magnitude 5.3 earthquake shook some south central Alaskans out of their beds. Shaking buildings served as a literal wake-up call to prepare Alaskans for the next big one. The Alaska Earthquake Information Center says the magnitude 5.3 quake occurred at 6 a.m. Thursday about eight miles northwest of Skwentna and 74 miles northwest of Anchorage. State officials say there are no immediate reports of damage.
Even though USGS seismologists reported it as a moderate earthquake, it was large enough to open up people’s eyes to the bigger issue.
Alaska wasn’t always home for Eb Hope, but 30 years ago, he decided to raise his family here. In that time, Alaskan habits shaped his life.
“I think after a while up here you just become programmed to it,” Pope said. “You take earthquakes as just a natural thing that happens all the time. Not the big ones, the shakers, but it just becomes a normal part of life.”
But after Thursday’s earthquake, something changed.
“I look at who is at my house, and what could happen if it really goes bad,” Pope said. “Am I going to be able to take care of this group? Until help comes, until we can get back to a natural state of life, we can to a point, for the long haul [but] I don't think I have what I need to last two to three weeks.”
The KTVA-CBS 11 morning show started right when the earthquake began shaking in Anchorage. Morning meteorologist Eric Snitil felt the earthquake live on-air during his first segment.
Snitil isn’t used to the shaking though. He moved to Alaska from Ohio less than a year ago, and this morning was a reminder.
“It was probably a good lesson from my perspective at least for a safety standpoint, to know that the next time that happens I might have to do a little more hiding [under the weather desk] as opposed to smiling [on camera] as if nothing is going on,” Snitil said.
However, hiding under a desk isn't the only way Alaskans can prepare for an earthquake. Using natural disaster kits is one way the American Red Cross continues to push people to get ready before a massive earthquake strikes.
“We really encourage folks to really be self-sufficient for those first 72 hours,” said Katie Bender, American Red Cross of Alaska. “It may not be pretty but it will get you through.”
The Red Cross message has evolved over years, just like Pope’s plan.
“I ain't crawling under no table,” Pope said, laughing. "It 's a fact of life here. It’s something to take it serious. I take earthquakes serious. But have I ever got real serious about being prepared? No, I haven't. Will I now? Yes.”
The American Red Cross’ 72-hour emergency kit is a quick start to prepare for earthquakes. The Red Cross sells it online for $60 and includes a battery/solar panel/crank radio and flashlight, an emergency blanket, food bars and even work gloves.
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JEAN MASSEY said on Thursday, Aug 4 at 2:00 PM
Evacuation routes? To where? Airport to fly out? Ha Ha That is really funny!
71826539Richard Cawley said on Tuesday, Aug 2 at 8:19 PM
What about evacuation routs? Is there one? Some planning at more than house hold level must be done.
71720559Brian Ross said on Tuesday, Aug 2 at 9:12 AM
The problem I see is that you never know what damage an earthquake will cause, so how do you know your emergency kit will be accessible when structurers could collapse around it? Having more than one kit at different locations could better the odds, say at home, in the garage or shed, in your car, and at work. Having a kit in a seperate, stand-alone tool shed seems smart because there's likely to be less rubble to dig it out of after a quake.
71686282Mark Doughty said on Monday, Aug 1 at 9:59 AM
Gun, bullets, waterfilter, tent, fire starter, rain gear, cotton-free under-garments, polar fleece......I feel like I'm going on a hunting trip!
71630091Me said on Friday, Jul 29 at 3:14 PM
LOL... okay... somebody is hyping the Red Cross Store... for entertainment purposes... checked out their handy dandy emergency kit... most folks in Alaska are better equipped than that to make a trip to the bathroom. A whistle??? Really???
71518608mike said on Friday, Jul 29 at 1:57 PM
is Jane for real?? How is the obvious measure of being prepared for the inevitable scaring us?? It's like reminding a child to not play in the street. There will be serious earthquakes on the san andreas fault. Duh, stupid cow, of course she might lose a few pounds which would be great. All her friends, both of them, would say hey stupid jane your slightly less revolting how come? Jane would say, between mouthfulls of twinky," I just finished up the I was too stupid to plan for an earthquake diet and I had to live on the things i pulled from between my rolls of fat cause I'm a big fat fatty fat fat who was too stupid to by an extra hammock of cake to hide under my bed. Stupid .
71515471Jane Caruso said on Friday, Jul 29 at 1:19 PM
Seriously? This story made no sense and is an awful example of broadcast journalism. What was the point of this girls story...to scare everyone in Alaska or to make no sense?
71513518Wes said on Friday, Jul 29 at 11:45 AM
I flew into Anchorage a couple of weeks after the big one in 64--it was a sight to behold. There was little that could be done to prepare for that kind of damage--when its your time, well! Anchorage has grown to about 15 times that size since then; I hate to think how much worse it would be if that same quake happened today. I would like to have plenty of clean, sealed containers of drinking water and lots of prepared food (in cans). That should be rotated in and out of your stock on hand so it doesn't get too old. The 64 quake happened on Good Friday: A winter quake would be much worse because heat sources could be interrupted. Greater Anchorage probably takes a dim view of wood heat, but it would be a good alternative standby source. Those who have survived major events such as the 64 quake or worse probably learned to pray!
71508193DEB said on Friday, Jul 29 at 11:11 AM
WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE. DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE EARTHQUAKE HAPPENS, DO SOMETHING NOW TO PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES. SOME PEOPLE HERE JUST TAKE IT AS A WAY OF LIFE, BUT DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE PORT WHEN ON STRIKE AND WE COULD NOT GET SUPPLIES FOR 3 DAYS? WERE YOU PREPARED THEN OR ONE OF THE PANICKED ONES WHO RAN TO THE STORES TO HELP CLEAN THEM OUT OF BASIC SUPPLIES? AS A SOCIETY WE ARE NO WAY PROACTIVE ALTHOUGH SOME TRY TO BE. BUT THE MAJORITY IS REACTIVE. WHY DO WE HAVE TO GO OH SH*T WHEN S0METHING HAPPENS AND IT COSTS LIVES AND BILLONS OF DOLLARS THAT ARE NEEDED ELSEWHERE? BE PROACTIVE, TAKE A STAND, PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES AND THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU. THIS WILL HELP PREVENT DEATH AND UN-NEEDED DANGER. WHEN WE WILL REALIZE THAT HUMANS ARE NOT INDISPENSABLE PRODUCTS? I FOR ONE AM NOT!! MY AIM IS TO HELP SOCIETY REALIZE THAT WE WAIT TOO LONG FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE CARE OF WHAT WE COULD DO FOR OURSELVES?
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