5.4 Earthquake Struck Southern Oregon Coast — Tips for Earthquake Safety

The epicenter of the earthquake 140 miles (227km W) of Bandon, Oregon (USGS)

The southern Oregon coast was struck by a 5.4 earthquake on the morning of July 17, reported Earthquake Hazards Program of the U.S. Geological Service.

The quake’s epicenter was 140 miles (227km W) of Bandon, Oregon, about 8 miles deep. It happened at 8 a.m.

The National Weather Service said in a message on Twitter that no tsunami is expected.

Oregon Live reported that the earthquake happened at the Blanco Fracture Zone, which frequently experiences seismic activity.

There are no reports of injury or loss of property due to the quake.

Reports of such earthquakes are often precursors to more major earthquakes occurring in the region.

Forty-two earthquakes of lower intensity ranging from 2.5 to 4.6 magnitude have struck various places in the United States since the one in Southern Oregon on Wednesday, according to the earthquake updates on the U.S. Geological Service website.

Epicentres of low-intensity Earthquakes that happened on July 17 and July 18, 2019. (USGS)

What to Do If You Are Inside When an Earthquake Hits:

• Stay where you are until the shaking stops and do not run outdoors. Stay inside until it is safe to exit.
• Drop, cover and hold on, and move as little as possible.
• It’s a common myth to believe that running to a doorway will protect you. Officials say this isn’t a good idea. Doorways are no stronger than other parts of a structure. They also don’t protect against falling debris and you may not be able to remain standing throughout the quake.
• Cover your head and neck from falling or flying debris. Try to take cover under a strong desk or table to protect yourself from falling objects. Low furniture may also provide additional cover.
•  If you are in bed, stay there, curl up, and hold on and protect your head and neck with a pillow. It’s best to remain on the bed, since hazards and debris are difficult to see and avoid in the dark. Moving around may lead to more injuries than staying in bed.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as light fixtures or furniture.
• The Earthquake Country Alliance advises getting as low as possible to the floor. If you can’t get safely to the floor go to an inside corner of a room away from windows and objects that can fall on you.
• When leaving outdoors after the shaking stops use the stairs and don’t take the elevator, since there may be aftershocks, power failures, and other damage.

If You Are Outside When an Earthquake Occurs:

• Look for a clear spot away from away from buildings, power lines, trees, and streetlights. Drop to the ground and remain there until the earthquake ends.
• If you are in a moving vehicle, stop immediately and as safely as possible and remain in the vehicle. Don’t stop near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Continue driving only when the shaking stops, and avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that the earthquake may have damaged.

What to Do After an Earthquake Hits:

• If a power line falls on your vehicle, wait for help and don’t get out.
• If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be on the lookout for falling rocks and other debris. Keep in mind that landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.
• Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks or tsunamis if you are in coastal areas. Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover, and hold on. They may occur minutes, days, weeks, and even months following an earthquake.
• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid before helping injured or trapped persons.
• If you are trapped, do not move about or kick up dust. Tap on a pipe or wall or use a whistle, if you have one, so that rescuers can locate you. If you have a cell phone with you, use it to call or text for help.
• Once it is safe, listen to news reports via a battery operated radio, TV, social media, and cell phone text alerts for emergency information and instructions.
• Put clothes that cover up your body, like long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy shoes, and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects.
• Immediately clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline, or other flammable liquids.
• When opening closet and cabinet doors do so carefully, as objects inside may have shifted.