(Newswire.net — May 27, 2015) Centerville, Utah — In case you have been living in a confined area for the last few weeks, here is what has been happening lately:
The country of Nepal is still being ravaged as a result of not one, but two devastating earthquakes.
On April 25, the country was on the receiving end of a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake, killing over 8,000 people and causing countless millions of dollars in damages.
On May 12, Nepal was on the receiving end of yet another catastrophic earthquake, this time estimated at the magnitude of 7.3, hitting the villages near the capital city of Kathmandu. The casualty report – as well as the damage report – has yet to be completed as of writing.
Meanwhile, Utah also received its own little ground rattler. On May 9, a magnitude 3.0 trembler shook the East Canyon area in Summit County. No casualties or damages were reported.
Many consider the Wasatch Front to have dodged a major bullet, and are fearing for the worst.
“We don’t have enough resources to immediately start fighting this,” warns Bob Carey, operations chief for Utah Emergency Management.
Carey is tasked with getting the major parts of Utah – particularly the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding metropolitan areas – ready and prepared in the event the “big one” – a major earthquake – strikes Utah.
FEMA and other agencies have been prepared and ready for the worst for quite some time. In fact, Utah officials have been training and preparing for the possibility of a major earthquake for years.
Some officials are afraid, however, that these efforts may not be enough.
“Most Utahns haven’t been through something like that, so it’s hard to get your brain around what happens when the earth starts moving,” says Joe Dougherty, spokesman for the Utah Department of Emergency Management.
Officials estimate Utah has a 1-in-7 chance of getting a 7.0 or greater magnitude earthquake in the next five years.
Meanwhile some tips on keeping your home and valuables safe from inevitable damage as a result of water or fire from the earthquake:
- Have a valid escape route ready. Go over the escape route with your family and loved ones. Make sure that everybody in your family know how to get a hold of you in the event of separation. (FEMA officials warn that earthquakes have the potential to knock out bridges and telephone communications; know how to get a hold of your loved ones through other unconventional methods.)
- Make sure you keep all valuables such as birth certificates, insurance documentation, and social security cards in a fireproof safe. This will help insurance agents assess how much was lost as a result of the fire.
- When experiencing water damage, if at all possible, shut down the source of the water. This may not always be possible; for instance, broken water mains and pipes from the streets are the responsibility of the city.
- The best thing to remember is to not panic. It is estimated that a great deal of damage and injury during a disaster come from people panicking. Remain calm, use cell phones as little as possible, and remember to check disaster hotlines frequently for updates on conditions, water and supplies, as well as shelter updates for those who lose their homes.
We can learn a great deal about preparing for a major earthquake – and the disasters that are bound to come as a result – from the recent events in Nepal. Contact local earthquake preparedness officials for more information.
The Flood Co. is a leader in water, fire, and disaster cleanup, and can help answer any questions you may have.
About The Flood Co.
The Flood Co. has been serving Northern Utah and South West Wyoming for over 20 years. They specialize in water damage restoration, fire & smoke damage restoration, mold damage restoration and air duct cleaning using NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaning Association) cleaning guidelines.