ABAG Tips for Riding Out Earthquakes and Other Disasters

 
THE THREAT IS REAL!
We are speeding toward a major traffic disaster in the Bay Area.
Revised estimates and maps of road closures due to earthquakes on 18 different faults were released in April 2003. These estimates again show the size of potential future traffic problems.
We have been incrediby lucky.
The 1995 Kobe, Japan earthquake and the 1999 Turkey earthquakes resulted in major traffic crises and gridlock.
The terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon also resulted in traffic gridlock. Thousands of Manhattan workers walked home on September 11th.
It is essential that all of us - as residents, parents, workers, employers, utility operators, and transportation providers - reexamine what our travel plans will and should be following a major disaster.
Our basic health and well-being following disasters, as well as the long-term economic health of the Bay Area, are at stake.
   
THINK AHEAD !
What if you are driving when an earthquake or other disaster strikes?
How long is your commute? This slideshow may take a moment to load...animated rollover
How long is your commute after an accident?
How long will your commute be after earthquakes or other disasters?
 
 
What if you are stuck at work after a quake?
 
What if you're at home during a quake?
 
If the phones work, use the phone, not your car!
 
Plan, Don't Panic!
Check out additional information on EARTHQUAKE issues.
Check out additional information on TERRORISM issues.
   
DID YOU KNOW?
Seismic retrofit of the Golden Gate Bridge will not be completed for several years.
Seismic retrofit of the West Span and replacement of the East Span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will not be completed for several years.
Even local bridges across creeks can have damage in earthquakes. Look for these as you drive today between home, schools, work, and shopping. Plan alternate routes!
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK) can have runway damage in an earthquake due to LIQUEFACTION.

"Real time" traffic reports and transit information are available through 511.org!
 
   
WANT TO DO MORE?
Print out copies of the CAR GUIDE and give them to your friends in English, Spanish, or Chinese. (These are Adobe Acrobat Files)
As a business, you may want to reproduce this Newsletter version of the Car Guide for your employees. Due to the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, we have also prepared a Revised Newsletter version that expands the focus of the Car Guide to include other disasters. (If you decide to do this, please email us using the "contact" button below so we know! A "Word" version of this file is available on request.)
As a business, you may also want to use this Checklist to identify other types of things you can do to help solve potential traffic problems. (Again, if you decide to do this, please email us using the "contact" button below so we know! A "Word" version of this file is available on request.)
Do you have a motorcycle and want to be a trained volunteer? Get in touch with the San Francisco Motorcycle Emergency Response Corps - MERCury.
   
What if you are driving when an earthquake or other disaster strikes?
   
Don't run out of gas. Run on the top half of the tank, not the bottom half.
Keep emergency food, water, a light source, first aid supplies/perscriptions, walking shoes and comfortable clothes, change, and a whistle in a spare back pack or bag as a "car kit." Kids and parents can have fun together with this Java-based Car Kit Wordsearch Game.
Slow down and tune in to your radio for emergency bulletins.
Does your child's school have a list of other responsible people authorized to pick them up if you are delayed?
Do you have back-up plans for feeding and safety of pets?
Use ABAG's Car Guide to help you plan! (Download FREE Adobe Acrobat Software, if needed)
What if you are stuck at work after a quake?
   
Do you have a 3-5 day supply of medications at your office?

Do you keep walking shoes at work?
Does your child's school have a list of other responsible people authorized to pick them up if you are delayed? You can also keep a list of these contacts in your car using our Car Guide.
Do you have back-up plans for feeding and safety of pets?
Would keeping a bicycle at work help?
What if you're at home during a quake?
Keep a 3-5 day supply of food, water, and medicines.
Stay at home, assuming it is safe to do so. Avoid driving.
If the phones work, use the phone, not your car!
Change your voice mail message to state that you are safe.
Before the quake, make sure that all your family knows a single relative or friend who lives outside California that you can contact to say you are fine. This way, fewer calls are needed on jammed "in-State" phone calls.
You may have to wait a bit longer for dial tone after a quake. Be patient. Don't just hang up and try again.
Keep change or a pre-paid phone card in your wallet.
Did You Know?
   
For more information on expected road closure information, view ABAG's MAPS showing concentrations of road closures following future earthquakes.
Caltrans has produced a fun CONNECT THE DOTS bridge retrofit activity worksheet for kids (and adults). (These are Adobe Acrobat Files)
For online route planning, you can use MapQuest or MapsOnUs.
To help you think of other ways to get to and from work, check out the list of travel options provided with this Java-based Transportation Options Wordsearch Game.
Due to possible airport closures, plan other ways to get your products to other parts of the country!
ABAG, the Association of Bay Area Governments, is the regional planning and services agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.
This page was last updated 10/24/07 by jbp.