Earthquake
The ground is shaking or has just shaken hard, and aftershocks may follow.
Warning signs
- Sudden shaking or a rumbling sound
- An official earthquake early warning, where your country has one
- Near the coast: long or strong shaking means tsunami risk
Stay or go
During shaking, stay where you are and do not run outside. Afterwards stay inside unless the building is damaged; on a coast, after long or strong shaking, go inland or to high ground at once.
Do now
- Drop to hands and knees, cover head and neck, and hold on until shaking stops.
- Indoors, stay inside; do not run out or stand in a doorway.
- In a car, stop in a clear spot away from buildings, trees, bridges and power lines.
- On a coast, if shaking is long or strong, get gone to high ground or inland.
Then
- Expect aftershocks and drop, cover and hold each time.
- Check yourself for injuries, then help others if trained. (medical-6)
- If you smell gas, open a window, get everyone out and turn off the gas if you can.
- Wear sturdy shoes and covering clothes against broken glass.
- If trapped, cover your mouth and signal by tapping on a pipe, whistle or text rather than shouting.
- Leave a damaged building, move away and do not go back in.
Related steps
Sources
- Earthquakes. Ready.gov (FEMA), accessed 2026-11
- Earthquakes. National Emergency Management Agency, New Zealand (Get Ready), accessed 2026-11