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You never know when an earthquake might strike, as Cayman Islanders discovered last year.
The islands were hit by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in January 2020, causing buildings to shake and opening large holes in the ground.
The epicenter was between Grand Cayman and Jamaica, but the effects were widely felt on both islands and other territories in the region.
The shock triggered a tsunami warning, but thankfully it was only a precaution.
An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by rocks breaking and moving under the earth’s surface, so it is important to know what to do if it occurs.
Prepare in advance
Knowing that an earthquake can strike at any time of the day or night, secure items such as photos, televisions, and objects hanging on the wall. Store heavy and breakable items on low shelves.
Practice “duck, cover, and hold” with family and co-workers. Fall on your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms.
Crawl only as much as needed to reach cover from fallen material. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.
Create a family emergency communications plan. Decide where to meet if you broke up.
Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by your bed in case an earthquake strikes in the middle of the night.
Keep an emergency kit and keep it in an easily accessible place. Do not forget about the needs of the pet.
Survive while
“Duck, cover and hold.” Fall on your hands and knees. Cover your head under a sturdy piece of furniture. Hold on to the furniture until the shaking stops. If you don’t have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
Stay away from windows to avoid injury from shattered glass.
If you are in bed, roll it up and secure it. Protect your head and neck with a pillow.
If you are indoors, stay there until the shaking stops. Don’t go abroad.
If you are in a car, stop in an empty area away from buildings, trees, bridges, underpasses, or utility wires. Stay indoors with your seat belt on until the shaking stops. Then drive carefully and expect the traffic lights to go off.
If you are in a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off. Do not use elevators.
If you are outside, go to an open area away from trees, poles, and buildings.
safety after
After the earthquake, the disaster may continue. Anticipate and prepare for potential aftershocks or even tsunamis. Tsunamis are often generated by earthquakes. Don’t wait for an official tsunami warning to move to the upper floors of a concrete building or higher ground.
Every time you feel an aftershock, duck, cover and hold.
Check yourself for injuries.
If you are in a damaged building, get out and quickly move away from the building. Do not enter damaged buildings.
Wear sturdy shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects.
Listen to a portable or battery operated portable radio for up-to-date information and advice in an emergency.
Put the animals under your direct control.
If you are away from home, only return when the authorities say it is safe to do so. Use extreme caution and check walls, floors, doors, stairs, and windows for damage.
Source: Risk Management, Cayman Islands Red Cross
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