County at 90 percent risk of experiencing an earthquake

After the 7.0 magnitude Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti and the devastating 8.8 magnitude quake offshore Chile last week, Northern Nevadans may be concerned about a major quake occurring, and according to a new report, most communities have every reason to be on edge.

Nevada is one of the most earthquake-prone states, yet residents are not necessarily prepared to handle a major seismic event or the aftermath. Running to an open doorway and waiting for the world to return to normal is not always the end of such an incident.

Geologists and other emergency professionals said at this point preparation is essential because it is not a question of whether there will be a significant tectonic movement. There will be an earthquake, and the only question is whether or not people will be ready and know what to do when the earth's rumbling ends in disaster.

The risk is high

A new report from the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG) states there is a 35 percent likelihood that a 6.0 magnitude trembler will strike within 31 miles of Fallon by 2060, 67 percent for Reno and 70 percent for Carson City. Fallon has an 80 to 90 percent probability of experiencing a 5.0 magnitude earthquake in the next 50 years.

According to the master plan, Churchill County is located in “Earthquake Country” in the highest zone level of seismic hazard, and it lies within one of the most seismically active regions in the United States.

“Nevada as a state is the No. 3 state in the nation with earthquakes, with Alaska and California coming before,” said Steve Endacott, Fallon emergency manager. “We have fault lines near Fallon, but there are just more of them closer toward the mountains.”

There may also be more fault lines not yet discovered, and the absence of a large quake in the last six decades makes it more likely the area will experience one, said research geologist Craig dePolo at the NBMG.

“We know so little about the earth,” dePolo said. “We can't rule anything out. There are probably faults we don't know about that are buried under the Carson sink. That kind of remains out there as a wild card.”

Endacott said earthquake preparedness has always been at the forefront of Fallon's emergency plan. Churchill County is no stranger to significant earthquakes. From July 1954 to December 1954, four earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 6.6 to 7.2 magnitude occurred and in 2008 Nevada experienced a series of quakes known as the Mogul-Somersett Earthquake Sequence reaching up to 4.7 magnitude according to the NBMG Web page.

According to the report, a 6.0 magnitude quake in Reno would likely kill 78 people, leave 900 homeless, destroy more than 5,000 buildings and cause about $3.7 billion in damages.

Although the chances of a large quake are high, Ron Juliff, Churchill County's emergency manager, said the impact to a rural area like Churchill County will not be as extreme as to Haiti or Chile because it is not a dense area with tall buildings or poor building codes. Additionally, he said there are no major bridges or tall highway structures that could collapse.

Be prepared

No one can prevent an earthquake, but Endacott said people can and should prepare by keeping various items in their homes. Extra water, a battery-powered radio and first-aid kits to deal with scrapes and bruises caused by flying glass are necessities. He said while these three items are the most important to have, residents should also be able to gather important papers, medication, snacks and flashlights on a moment's notice.

Juliff said people should prepare 72 hours worth of supplies because in a massive disaster, three days is the minimum time expected for relief efforts to mobilize.

“An earthquake is a very large area disaster,” Endacott said. “Plan on trying to be as self efficient as you can for a few days while the government responds. Be prepared to take that no notice camping trip with minor injuries. It could be like it was in December when it was 2 degrees, and you could have no windows.”

Endacott added people may want to consider purchasing earthquake insurance. He said most plans do not provide it.

“Do you buy earthquake insurance or not?” Endacott asked. “My patented answer to that is it depends on your financial situation.”

When a quake happens

Endacott said if a quake begins, don't underestimate it because it feels small.

“You can't really assure it's a little one,” Endacott said. There might be a great big jolt behind it. Immediately look to protect yourself.”

He also advises residents to stay in their homes — if possible. dePolo said it's difficult to move when the ground is shaking and better to find safety quick.

“Find a safe place in the home, and let the earthquake do its thing,” he said.

The biggest dangers of earthquakes, he said, are items falling from walls and shelves.

“If (a heavy item) lands on your head, now, there is a problem,” he said and recommends getting under a sturdy table or desk as things commonly fall from ceilings during quakes.

Young children, he said, should be kept away from big-screen televisions or other large loose furniture and appliances, adding if one were to fall on a child, it could create significant injuries. Endacott said he has bolted his stereo cabinet to the wall to make sure it could not tip over in an earthquake.

The county's master plan states earthquake deaths and injuries do not occur because the ground shakes but instead are caused by collapsing buildings, flying glass, furniture movement, fires from broken chimneys, broken gas lines and down electrical lines.

What if your children are at school?

The Churchill County School District safety officer John Johnson said the district coordinates with the city and county. He said in the event of a severe earthquake, parents should be patient while emergency procedures begin and officials coordinate.

“Our primary responsibility will be the students' safety,” Johnson said. “Our second priority is notifying the families.”

Johnson said all classrooms are prepared with emergency kits and flip charts detailing the steps to take in the event of an emergency. The flip chart in the earthquake portion states all should remain where they are at until tremors stop. Johnson said the charts also help substitutes and others unfamiliar with drill procedures.

Johnson said the district has emergency drills every month and one official drill every year. When teachers call out “earthquake, drop, cover and hold on,” students go under tables, desks, doorways and against inner walls. If gas is smelled, teachers are directed to have students exit the building immediately and report to a pre-determined evacuation site. When outdoors, students are directed to move away from buildings and power lines.

After the quake

Juliff said immediately after a quake, city and county efforts will begin, initially focusing on evacuating dangerous areas and preventing further damage to life and property.

“Recovery starts the instant the shaking stops,” Endacott said.

Local organizations such as the Red Cross and Churchill County Search and Rescue will join with city and county officials to initiate emergency plans already formulated through regular meetings of the Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Endacott said the local government will communicate through the emergency broadcast system and on AM radio. He said radio stations KVLV and KOH both have emergency back-up power. This is why he stressed having a battery operated radio.

Endacott said the city and county has an emergency shelter plan with already determined locations chosen for being strong structures that are capable of running on generators. In addition to shelters, Juliff said the county will establish food and supply pick up points.

Endacott said relief should get into the area easily because there are two major highways running through town and a federal airstrip at Naval Air Station Fallon. Nevertheless, he said it is also likely after a massive quake, Reno and Carson City may not be able to provide aid to Churchill County because those cities would also have damage.

“There's nobody in this location that will be coming to our rescue because they will be inundated with their own larger population,” Endacott said.

dePolo said people should also be prepared for the possibly of aftershocks or another earthquake.

“Where there has been an earthquake, there can be an attitude that ‘we've already had our earthquake,'” dePolo said. “It's turns out that's not a wise philosophy.”

After initial relief, the area will work to restore regular services and other necessities. Over time, the community will assess less immediate damage, such as that to private wells and septic tanks, and begin to rebuild the infrastructure.

“Recovery can go on for months, even years,” Endacott said. “Look at New Orleans.”

Need to know

For more information visit the Nevada Earthquake Safety Council www.unr.edu/earthquake/index.html, the FEMA Earthquake Information Page www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/index.shtm and the Division of Insurance

doi.nv.gov.



% Probability of magnitude greater than or equal to

5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0

Fallon 80-90 ~60 35 20-25 6-8

Reno >90 ~80 67 50 12-15

Carson City >90 ~80 70 50-55 12-15