Earthquake worries...

[niklynn1]

I just read there was a 4.1 earthquake in the LA area this morning. We're headed to DLR/Hollywood/SeaWorld in about a month.

We're from the midwest, and as far as crazy storms and tornadoes go, I feel like I know what to do to stay safe. Earthquakes I have no idea about!

I'm a bit nervous and wondering, what the heck do you do if you're in LA and an earthquake hits?

 

[HydroGuy]

I just read there was a 4.1 earthquake in the LA area this morning. We're headed to DLR/Hollywood/SeaWorld in about a month.

We're from the midwest, and as far as crazy storms and tornadoes, I feel like I know what to do to stay safe. Earthquakes I have no idea about!

I'm a bit nervous and wondering, what the heck to do you do if you're in LA and an earthquake hits?

There are fears and there are statistics. You will be safer in SoCal from earthquakes than in Iowa from tornados. Usually you do nothing in a quake because it is minor. A 4.1 would barely be felt and many people would miss it altogether.

Conventional wisdom in a larger quake is to get in a doorway or under something strong like a table. If outside move away from buildings.

 

[lalasmama]

While I totally understand your worries, HG is right--most of the earthquakes you hear about are barely felt. I remember being in a 4 or 5 back several years ago. I was in a high-rise hospital at work, and thought, "Sheesh, that must be one heck of a big kid running by outside the door!" and then found out an hour later it was an earthquake! Generally, you'll feel some shaking, and by the time you figure out what it is, it's over

 

[coaches24]

There are actually several earthquakes every day in So-cal (and throughout Cali) but you rarely even notice them. It has to be really bad for people to take notice usually, and unless you are on an elevated freeway (or under one) or on a bridge I wouldn't worry. Even modern buildings are built to withstand very strong earthquakes. Not that I would want to be in one and find out for sure, but in DL I wouldn't worry about an earthquake at all. Chances are there will be a few dozen earthquakes (or more) while you are at DL and you wont notice any of them.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

what the heck to do you do if you're in LA and an earthquake hits?

You sit there and look at the person next to you and ask, "What was that? A large truck driving by? An airplane?" Then you realize a few minutes later after somebody checks the internet that it was an earthquake. You talk about the magnitude for a sec, then you go about your day.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Usually they stop before you time to look around for something to hide under.

One time one did happen while we were at DLR. It was a 5.4 We were buying our APs in bank on Main Street at the time. We stood in the door way and then the CMs had us all go out in to the middle of the street. After a few minutes nothing more happened so we went back to finish.

DLR will shut down all rides and inspect them. Smaller rides will open up first. Slowly more and more will open up and with the larger more complicated ones possilbly not opening again that day.

This caused us to have an earthquake plan with our boys. If they were in another part of the park and an earthquake hit, we would have a place to meet in case cell phones were busy. So, have a plan, but don't spend time worring about it. Most earthquakes are small and then your day continues on. And worring about it ahead of time won't stop one from happening anyway.

 

[Eeee-va]

Years ago, probably 1991 or 1992, I was staying at the Castle Inn (it was much nicer back then) with a friend and her family and there was an earthquake. If I recall correctly we were on the 3rd or 4th floor. I think we had visited Knott's the day before; at any rate, I woke up from a dream that I was on a stagecoach! I realized it was an earthquake but didn't want to look silly so I didn't get under a desk or anything. (I was a teenager, or close to it.) The room shook a while and then it was over. I don't believe anyone was hurt and I'm pretty sure Disneyland opened (maybe late). DCA was still a parking lot at the time.

Unfortunately, my friend's mom was always scared of earthquakes--we were in the Castle Inn because the villas or whatever they called the 2-story buildings at the Disneyland Hotel (since torn down) were booked, and she would not stay in one of the towers, for fear of earthquakes. So, we left Anaheim a day early, missing a day at Disneyland, and went down to San Diego. I'm still a little sad that I never got to ride the Rescue Ranger Raceway (which we'd planned to do that day). That's why I now try to make sure I do everything I HAVE to do before the last day of my visit.

Looking it up, I THINK it was the Landers earthquake on June 28, 1992 (7.3, 3 people killed--far from Anaheim, and 2 were heart attacks). Or it COULD have been the more minor Sierra Madre earthquake on June 28, 1991 (5.6, 2 people killed, also far from Anaheim), but because of the timing, I think it was the one in 1992. Unless the Rescue Ranger Raceway was torn down by then, in which case it would have had to have been 1991. (I THINK the Disney Afternoon Avenue was 1991 but the character cutouts on Autopia and the Motorboat Cruise stayed up another year?)

Anyway, statistically you likely won't be in an earthquake you can feel. And even if you ARE, statistically it probably won't affect your visit (unless you just decide you have to get out). I would not worry.

Have a great trip!

 

[DharmaLou]

Most people probably wouldn't even notice a 4.1.

If there's a bigger one, find a door frame and stand there.

 

[Mugglemama]

I was born and raised in SoCal, so earthquakes don't really bother me too much (despite living in SoCal for the first 30 years of my life, I honestly only felt a handful of large-ish quakes during that time...).

But for some reason, before we left for our DLR trip in Summer of 2010, I started stressing earthquakes a little. I have NO idea why. I still live in CA, but not in a place where earthquakes are commonly felt.

On our 3rd day there, we came out of the Buzz Lightyear ride or something, and had planned to head over to get on the train in Tomorrowland (next to Autopia). As we walked, we started to notice everyone just sitting on the ground, leaning up against various walls, etc. Which, obviously, is a weird thing to see at Disneyland!

Within a few seconds, it dawned on us that there must have been an earthquake (we never felt it - that quake was a 5.4 and centered near the same place that today's was). Things were going to be closed down for at least an hour, so we actually decided to go back to our hotel and just come back later when everything was open again.

Unless it's a big-ish earthquake, you likely wouldn't even feel it. And as others have stated....for someone who hasn't felt them before and therefore doesn't immediately recognize them...it would almost surely be over before you even realized what had happened. 99% of them are seriously no.big.deal.

If it was big enough for you to feel it AND immediately recognize what was happening...then everything HG suggested + trying to move away from windows or glass cabinets (or cabinets that could theoretically tip over) in shops would be good.

 

[FireflyJar]

deleted

 

[BeccaG]

I live pretty close to the epicenter of today's quake, and it literally felt like someone slammed a door hard in the house. Most quakes, as others have said are small. And if they are large, you do want to get under a sturdy object (and hold onto it!!) or away from buildings. Oh, and if you are asleep in your bed, generally staying there and covering yourself the best you can to protect from flying glass is the best option!

 

[SarafinaPink]

I am sure that if you are in DLR when something happens, the cast members have been trained extensively on what to do and how to keep you safe. Look at the earthquake that affected Tokyo Disney and how great the CMs managed the situation. I've seen videos on youtube and read countless articles that said their training made the whole situation very organized and safe for the guests.

I've actually been quite afraid of earthquakes since I moved to Socal a year ago and the first one I felt was earlier this week and I didn't even know what it was until afterwards. I thought a big truck had driven by. But, if one does happen, the best thing is to know what to do and what not to, so you will be able to act quickly and calmly. In the DLR situation, even if you don't know what to do, the CMs will tell you and you will be taken care of.

 

[perlster]

The "get in a doorway" line was officially dumped many years ago, when, not surprisingly it was found that people were being hurt by violently slamming doors during a quake.

 

[canadian_ehngel]

We were another lucky bunch that had an earthquake hit while we were at DL/DCA. My hubby, oldest daughter and I were on Grizzly River Run when it happened, so everything was shut down by the time we got off. They inspected the rides, and whatnot, and everything was open again within a few hours. It was a fantastic opportunity to spend time and check out the stores in Downtown Disney. (During the earthquake, my mom was feeling nauseous, so she had our little one, and she and my grandma listened to and watched the band performing just outside Grizzly River Run. My grandma thoroughly enjoyed the music, and my mom thought she was moving the bench when the earthquake hit, so got mad at her lol.)

 

[Disney Dreams]

So, first things first: You may or may not feel it, as others have stated. This is for many reasons. I live within an hour of Disneyland and had no idea there was an earthquake this morning until reading this. My point is: Depending upon where the epicenter is, you may not even know it happened.

Secondly, yes, if you are on a ride, you probably won't feel it. If you are in a moving vehicle, you may not feel it.

Thirdly, there was an earthquake about a week ago as well. The house jolted really hard. I jumped up, grabbed the dog (who was staring at me as if to say, "Uh, mom! What WAS that?!?!"), and it had stopped. That was it. DH was at the office and did not feel a thing.

Every earthquake is different. Sometimes you will feel them, sometimes you won't. However, if you DO feel it, you want to take cover in a strong door frame or under a strong table positioned so that you are on your knees with your head tucked under and your hands clasped over your neck. The idea is to protect your face and neck if the table you are under collapses. (That said, I have lived in So. Cal. almost my entire life and have NEVER had a situation in which "the safe position" was not sufficient.) So don't what if yourself on that part. When the shaking stops, exit the building if you are in a public place until those in charge (Cast Members if at Disneyland) give you instruction. Remember, they know what to do, are trained, and are accustomed to "procedure."

Generally though, I would not worry about it. If it happens, you now have information and if it doesn't, you've worried for nothing. The thing about earthquakes, unlike storms is, you never know when they are going to happen, so you just can't worry about it. Just live life and have fun.

- Dreams

 

[LisainCalifornia]

a 4.1 is really nothing at all to be worried about. Like a gentle breeze!

I had the good fortune of living in Los Angeles for the Northridge Earthquake (I think that one was around 6.9) and then moved back to San Francisco just in time for the big earthquake of '89 (that was a 7.1). Yes, they were scary, but most modern structures do just fine in quakes. Disneyland is constructed with earthqake safety in mind. We were there for a fairly good sized one (staying in the Adventrue Tower of Disneyland Hotel) and the building swayed just like I am sure it is built to. Everything was fine. That was a few years ago.

So really, I think you have nothing to worry about. Worry about something else, and if you are lucky enough to be in Disneyland for an earthquake, just think of it like you are getting some local color!

 

[lwilkison]

I just read there was a 4.1 earthquake in the LA area this morning. We're headed to DLR/Hollywood/SeaWorld in about a month.

We're from the midwest, and as far as crazy storms and tornadoes, I feel like I know what to do to stay safe. Earthquakes I have no idea about!

I'm a bit nervous and wondering, what the heck to do you do if you're in LA and an earthquake hits?

DO NOT go into a doorway! That is the "old safety rule"...the new rule is find something big and large (i.e. table/desk) and hold on and cover your head. The door can slam shut and if you were in it...yikes!

Also, we live on the Westcoast and I have felt 4 and 5 mag quakes and mostly I felt motion sick...and it sounded like a big truck...the sound of the earth shifting! Pretty cool!

We have been to DLR 5 times and never felt a quake there but I wouldn't doubt that all CM's are well trained for all emergencies.

Quakes are pretty common, literally small ones happen all the time but mostly they are "deep" so you don't know they are happening.

I kind of smile about this because we have kind of wanted to visit your "neck of the woods" so to speak but are scared of storms and twisters!

 

[nannyz]

If I die in an earthquake while I'm in DL, well at least I died happy.

 

[Mugglemama]

DO NOT go into a doorway! That is the "old safety rule"...the new rule is find something big and large (i.e. table/desk) and hold on and cover your head. The door can slam shut and if you were in it...yikes!

Even as a child, I don't think I ever once thought of getting under a doorjam that actually had a door attached. We were taught to get into framed doorways that don't have doors...every house we ever lived in had at least one (but they were generally old houses so maybe newer houses don't always have those). The (CA) house I live in now has two (often these are doorways into hallways, back rooms behind kitchens, and/or dining rooms). At school, doors were almost ALWAYS kept open during class, with the rubber-ended "kickstand" down to keep them open (each classroom had two doors). But at school we were always taught to dive under the desk anyway, so...).

 

[niklynn1]

I kind of smile about this because we have kind of wanted to visit your "neck of the woods" so to speak but are scared of storms and twisters!

Well, there have been some pretty scary tornadoes in the midwest in the past year or so, but the thing that makes me feel somewhat better about them as opposed to earthquakes is that meteorologists have gotten somewhat better at predicting tornadoes and giving people a chance to take cover.

With an earthquake, you really don't get any warning. I keep thinking of all those dooms day predictions where newscasters keep saying California is overdue for "The BIG one"!