What to do during and after an earthquake
Seismologists have warned that after-shocks could follow yesterday’s 5.3 magnitude earthquake in Gauteng, which was felt as far afield as Durban.
Parts of South Africa were shaken into a state of panic when the earthquake struck Orkney.
South Africa is not accustomed to earthquakes, and while we do experience tremors from time to time, none of them have caused any real damage or making national news.
At 12.20pm yesterday, South Africans experienced what is believed to have been the second largest earthquake in 45 years. The Ceres earthquake, which occurred on 29 September 1969, is reported to be the most destructive earthquake in South African history. n the Ceres / Tulbagh area and registered 6.3 on the Richter scale.
It is reported that today’s earthquake was felt as far as Botswana and Durban and lasted for about 90 seconds.
ER24 reports that emergency services always face a challenge with such incidents. An informed public will always help, as knowing what to do will ensure people remain-panic-free.
What should you do during an earthquake?
- Stay calm.
- Try and stay where you are. Use large, sturdy objects such as a big desk to crawl under. If you are in a building, try and stand with your back against the wall near the centre of the building. Try stay away from windows and outside doors.
- Should you be outside in an earthquake, look around you. Ensure you are clear from power cables or anything overhead that might fall on you. Do not stand near or against a building, as debris might fall on top of you.
- Use the stairs to evacuate premises (only when it is safe to do so)
What should you do after an earthquake?
- Establish if you have sustained any injuries. Check around you and try to see if anyone else sustained any injuries. If you can provide first aid, proceed to do so.
- Call for medical assistance if someone sustained an injury.
- If the building you are in sustained structural damage, even if you are unsure, evacuate calmly and quickly if possible.
- Try to listen to your local radio station for emergency or news updates.
- Do not enter any damaged buildings or areas.
- There might be debris lying around. Be very careful around broken glass and other items that can cause you harm. Do not take off your shoes.
- Stay away from beaches until the area has been announced as safe.
- If the area you are in has an evacuation or emergency plan, try and follow it.
Expect aftershocks.
