And here I was worried about a Hurricane!

After yesterday’s earthquake in Virginia I was not too worried but still wanted to hear from Tom.  Last night I got a call about 6:15 – he almost missed it!  Yes, his first earthquake and he almost missed it. 

They were standing under a car port type structure working outside when they thought they felt a heavy troop transport driving by – except there was no transport.  They all stood around and looked at each other for a few minutes (apparently no one there from the west coast) and then someone noticed the lights swaying on the underside of the structure.  “Was that an earthquake?” 

Yep – he was shocked that I was worried about him.  “I didn’t even know what it was at first – I almost missed it.”  Was his response to my text message to call or text ASAP. 

I texted his step brother up in New York shortly after I found out about the tremor and he said it felt like a subway train going by – except he wasn’t near the subway.  He was not worried at all about Tom – said it was a really light quake and everything was fine.

So, today when I hear there was actually some damage in Washington DC and surrounding areas, I’m wondering if that little quake did that – what would a bigger one do?  Here I sit on the New Madrid fault – well, ok, I’m close – so I looked up what to do in the event of an earthquake.

Stay inside – now, I can understand if I’m in a tall building – I wouldn’t get out before the shaking stopped but if I’m in my house – I’m getting the heck outta there!  They say that more people are hurt by falling debris but I will take my chances with debris rather than be buried alive under the rubble! 

There are some tips on things to do NOW to prepare – such as bolting bookcases, heavy picture and other heavy furniture to the wall, replacing gas and water lines with flexible lines so that there is less chance of a break and fire or flood, see more suggestions here:  http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_during.shtm

And for those of you on the East Coast – (you probably already know this but) here is what FEMA says about Hurricanes:              http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/index.shtm