Earthquake shakeout simulator stirs up Santa Barbara residents
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- An earthquake simulator is shaking up the public on a seven city tour through California this week including a demonstration at the Santa Barbara Mission.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is using this demonstration as part of the Great California ShakeOut.
The tour simulates a quake of up to a magnitude 7.0 quake.
“California has long led the nation in innovative disaster preparedness efforts. During this year’s Great ShakeOut, we want to encourage every Californian to take action to keep themselves and their families safe,” said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward.
One of the first persons inside was Santa Barbara resident Jane Sieburg. "You really shake tremendously. I can see why you have to lay down on the floor or get somewhere safe, even hanging on would be very very difficult."
State officials were on hand to talk about what would happen in a real earthquake.
"When you're at your house what could fall down during a strong shake? Most people don't have everything braced as they should," said Jose Lara with Cal OES.
He also urges the public to download the My Shake App. That's an early warning system.
"If you're right on top of the earthquake, the earth is faster than our system but you may not be next to the epicenter and therefore you can get seconds of warnings and you can take protective actions such as drop cover and hold on, " said Lara.
Recently the south coast had a 5.1 magnitude quake in Ojai that tossed some items around in homes and stores and was just below the range of severe damage.
In 1978 a magnitude 5.1 quake left train cars in Goleta derailed, 65 people were hurt and damage was in the millions..
The big one was in 1925. Santa Barbara was in rubble when a massive quake hit, breaking apart many downtown buildings. It also cracked up the front of the Old Mission and left parts of the landmark holy building in ruins on the ground.
"It has happened right here, is what we know. That is important to keep in mind and make preparedness a top of mind thing and not left for later," said Public Informtion Officer Jackie Ruiz with the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management.
Former Fire Battalion Chief John Ahlman says after going through it, even he is going to double check his readiness. "We sit around and just don't think about it. I think I'm well prepared I'm going home and will begin preparing more," he said.
The tour will make stops in seven California counties. It began October 11 in Sacramento then San Francisco (October 12), Monterey (October 13), Santa Barbara (October 16), Los Angeles (October 17), Riverside (October 18) and San Diego (October 19).
Coming up on October 19 at 10:19 a.m. is the focus of the Great California ShakeOut Day. At that time millions of Californians will participate in an earthquake drill and practice life-saving actions like drop, cover and hold on.
The earthquake simulator gives those inside, the feeling of an earthquake up to magnitude 7.0 .
In real life Cal OES says,
- Inside: Drop, Cover and Hold on
- In a car: Pull over, stop, set the parking brake.
- In bed: Turn face down, cover your head with a pillow.
- Outdoors: Stay away from buildings, don’t go inside.
For more information go to : The California Office of Emergency Services
