As a resident of the Bay Area earthquakes are a part of life, but there are some simple steps you can take now to help your family survive and recover from the next big quake. Take the quizzes to find out your readiness and then follow the steps below to prepare and plan.
Retrofit Your Home or Apartment
Guide to earthquake vulnerable housing types
Steps for strengthening your home
Find a retrofit contractor, engineer or home inspector
Standard plan set for seismic retrofitting (Plan Set A)
Frequently Asked Questions about retrofitting
Do it yourself retrofit resources – City of San Leandro
Find a retrofit program in your city
View retrofitted homes and buildings in your neighborhood – add yours!
Consider earthquake insurance to help you rebuild and get back on your feet. This is especially important if you are a renter or live in an area susceptible to liquefaction or landslides
Secure Your Home or Apartment Contents
Secure your water heater, cupboards, and furniture
Chimney safety
Video of house contents on a shake table
Make a Family Emergency Plan
Make a plan and know what to do
Make an earthquake kit
Natural gas safety and gas shutoff valves
Plan for water and sewer disruption
Plan for driving after disasters
Resources for special needs and vulnerable populations in disasters
Print Publications
Stand Up to Quakes, Get Your Home in Shape! 8.5×11 | 11×17
Family Emergency Planning Guide
Homeowner retrofit workshop presentation
Be Sewer Smart, don’t let your toilet turn on you!, ABAG
Creative Ways to Strengthen Housing and Promote Community Resilience, ABAG Conference Summary, June 13, 2011
The writing and production of the materials and reports of this page and the others in this section of the ABAG Earthquake Program web site were funded in large part by Grant No. 03HQGR0010 from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), as well as by the Association of Bay Area Governments. Some additional funding related to retrofit of single-family homes was received from the American Red Cross Bay Area through a grant from the Allstate Foundaion. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agencies.