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6 | OHCC LIVING | OCTOBER 2022 | By Tom Porter, SERT President On Thurs., Oct. 20, California will hold their annual "Great Shake Out" to refresh everyone's memory of what to do when an earthquake occurs. On this date, SERT will also conduct our annual drill for SERT Emergency Response Team members as if an actual earthquake had occurred and affected OHCC. We ask all OHCC residents to help us practice by placing your OK/ HELP sign outside of your home by 7:30 am on Oct. 20. It does not matter if you say OK or HELP either one will be fine. If you do not place your sign out in front of your house that will also help us as we need to be prepared to respond to a "No Sign" situation. Why is SERT and the state of California making such an effort to prepare for an earthquake? It is not a matter of "IF" but "WHEN" an earthquake will occur. OHCC has several fault lines that run close to Oceanside. Any one of these fault lines could generate an earthquake that could be significant. So, what is "significant?" Using the Richter Scale, you will probably feel any earthquake of 5.0 or greater. A magnitude 6.0 quake is 10 times more powerful than a 5.0. A 7.0 is ten times more powerful than a 6.0. Michigan Technological University predicts an earthquake of 5.5-6.0 will cause slight damage to buildings and other structures. 6.1-6.9 may cause a lot of damage in populated areas. 7.0-7.9 Major Earthquake – Serious Damage. 8.0 or greater can totally destroy communities near the epicenter. On the SERT website we have lists of what you need to have on hand in case one of these larger earthquakes affects OHCC. We ask that you review your emergency supplies on Oct. 20. Rotate food items, if you have plastic bottled water buy fresh water, check to make sure your list of medications is up to date, know where your important documents are and be certain they are up to date. Earthquakes are not a question of "IF" but "WHEN," and we all need to be prepared. Please stay safe out there! EARTHQUAKES AND YOU!

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