A little shaking and movin'

[cinnamonkc]

Whew!!

We had a pretty good earthquake today. Last reports were 5.8 magnatude centered about 8 or 9 miles from my house!

My son was at summer school and they evacuated the school but all was fine there.
Target and Costco had to close and restock because of things falling from the shelves and a few broken lights.

Had some small things fall from the shelves at home, but we've got baby locks and such on the cabinets specifically to stop dishes and glasses from coming down during a quake. Also the TVs, hot water heater, dressers and bureau are strapped to the walls so as not to fall over.

All in all things are fine. The son is a little shaken but okay. I work about 44 miles from home and we felt it pretty good! The windows were creaking and popping but no damage that I know of.
A water line broke at LAX and closed a United Airlines gate or two.
They felt it as far as San Diego and Las Vegas!!

We're just holding on now for the aftershocks!!

 

[vince]

Glad all is OK!

 

[cinnamonkc]

Here's a pic from one of the local stores...Toilet paper explosion!!

 

[sumosmoke]

Glad to hear everything is ok KC. With the magnitude of the quake it's good news that everything is ok, including your son and his school. Hope the aftershocks are few and end soon!!!

I was particularly interested to hear how your house was prepared to handle quakes. The west coast braces for quakes, and us Floridian's brace for hurricanes (however we at least have a few days notice!!!).

 

[cinnamonkc]

It would be nice if we could get a few days notice!!!

The newer houses are better able to withstand quakes and some things like strapping you hot water heater to the wall are required by building code, but other stuff you learn about either by losing stuff in a quake or reading.

Nothing like having your beautiful flat screen TV tip over to make you strap down the next one!!
Also the child locks on the cabinets...Pure genius I learned from someone along the way. Same on the curio. Often the quake doesn't break things, just nudges them off a shelf!!
Even a small quake can make big damage depending on the direction of the movement. A gentle east to west quake can slide dishes out of a cabinet where the same quake north to south might not do anything. You just never know.

It sure livens things up though!!

Give me a quake over a hurricane any day!! Those things and tornados scare the heck out of me!