After the large earthquake off the shores of Japan March 10 caused a tsunami warning for the coast of California, many students and San Luis Obispo residents must consider preparing themselves for the possibility of a natural disaster.
On March 11, a tsunami warning was issued for cities and ports on the coast of California, including Port San Luis and Pismo Beach.
However, many locals’ confusion during the warning about what to do in the case of a natural emergency has prompted a Disaster Preparedness Day at San Luis Obispo’s Mercy Church. Speakers include representatives from the American National Red Cross, San Luis Obispo Fire Department, California Emergency Management Agency and Community Emergency Response Team. The day will address issues of creating a disaster plan and disaster kit, making a home earthquake proof and thinking about others, according to Mercy Church’s Website.
Jocelyn Wong, an art and design senior, said she has not prepared herself for a natural calamity.
“I’m not prepared, but I’m more inclined to do so now that the disasters in Japan happened,” Wong said.
Matt Ingwerson, a San Luis Obispo local, said he feels there will be a disaster, but he is also not prepared.
“There have been earthquakes (all over the world),” Ingwerson said. “And we’re on a fault line in California, so we’re next.”
According to the San Luis Obispo Fire Department Web page, there are many ways to prepare for a natural disaster, including having a sufficient amount of water, food, clothing and medical supplies available in one’s home, workplace and vehicle that will last for at least 72 hours.
At least one gallon of water per person per day should be made available in case of a crisis, but if the water supply is shut off or exhausted then people can also boil or add “commercial purification tablets” or bleach to make water safe to drink.
Food chosen should have a relatively long shelf life, and should be easy to prepare in multiple situations. As well as having sufficient storage of hygiene supplies and medical supplies, people preparing for a disaster should also have additional clothing, flashlights, a portable radio and batteries, as well as blankets, small tools, paper, pencils and money.
Chelsea Mettile, a Cuesta Community College student, said she also has not prepared for a disaster, but has stocked up in the past in preparation for possible disasters.
“I remember preparing for Y2k,” Mettile said. “We didn’t think anything would happen, but we stocked up on water just in case. I absolutely have not prepared for an earthquake though.”
Ingwerson said though he has not prepared, he feels he is more “paranoid” than others because he experienced an earthquake before. In Paso Robles on Dec. 22, 2003, an earthquake killed two people and injured 40, according to the United States Geological Survey’s website.
The 6.6 magnitude earthquake’s epicenter was six miles from San Simeon, and was felt throughout the Central Coast.
Ingwerson said the earthquake then prompted his mother to take precautions.
“That’s when my mom earthquake-proofed our house,” Ingwerson said.
“You got so used to the aftershocks that it just got routine,” Mettile said.
With earthquakes remembered by locals in the area, events like Disaster Preparedness Day will help students and other locals learn to prepare themselves.
According to the San Luis Obispo Fire Department’s Disaster Preparedness Web page, after a disaster people should contact their insurance company, check for damaged items and keep track of disaster-caused expenses and other important documents, along with making sure others are unharmed.
Disaster Preparedness Day will be on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m at San Luis Obispo’s Mercy Church.