EARTHQUAKE

An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the earth's crust that causes the ground to shake, lift up, or separate, creating uneven surfaces, gaps, or holes. The strength of earthquakes is expressed by magniture on the Richter scale. An earthquake of magnitude 7 can cause serious damage over large areas. Earthquakes under magnitude 3 are rarely noticed by humans.

Some serious hazards of earthquake activity are tsunamis, landslides, damaged buildings, broken glass from windows, falling objects, plus serious injury and fires if electrical wires fall and gas pipes break.

Find out more about earthquakes at ready.gov and usgs.gov.

Download earthquake checklist from National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

Hazard Maps and Information from the Association of Bay Area Governments.

FIRE

Wildfires are forest fires, grass fires, or any uncontrolled fire often occurring in a wildland area, but which can also consume buildings or farmland nearby. These fires may be caused by human carelessness, lightning, or arson. Heat waves, droughts, and climate change, such as El Niño, can also create risk of wildfires. Wildfires are most common during years of drought on days with strong winds.

Structure fires are fires in any building such as your home, a restaurant, office building, apartment, or retail store. These fires are often caused by human carelessness, unattended candles or cigarettes, arson, kitchen fires, or faulty electrical wiring.

Find out more about fires at Ready.gov.

Download home fires checklist and wildfires checklist from NFPA.

Hazard Maps and Information from the Association of Bay Area Governments.

FLOODING

A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. A flood may be caused by a heavy rainstorm, hurricane, river overflow, a high tide or large tsunami wave in the ocean, or dam failure. A flood can also be caused by blocked sewage pipes, storm drains, and other waterways. Floods are the most frequent type of disaster worldwide. They can occur in San Mateo County because it is located near rivers, dams, and the ocean. Insurance policies rarely offer coverage for floods.

Find out more about floods at Ready.gov.

Download floods checklist from NFPA.

Download Sandbag Resources and Directions.

Download Weather Safety.

Hazard Maps and Information from the Association of Bay Area Governments.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

A hazardous material (commonly called "hazmat") is any solid, liquid, or gas that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. Risks associated with hazardous materials may require incorporating safety precautions during transport, use, storage, and disposal. Most countries regulate hazardous materials by law and are subject to several international treaties as well.

Persons who handle hazardous materials often wear protective equipment, and metropolitan fire departments may have a response team specifically trained to deal with accidents and spills. These teams train with different organizations.

Find out more about hazardous materials at OSHA.gov.

Download hazardous materials checklist from NFPA.

Hazard Maps and Information from the Association of Bay Area Governments.

LANDSLIDES

A landslide is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes, and shallow debris flows. Although the action of gravity on a slope is the primary cause of landslides, there are often other contributing factors affecting the original slope stability.

Find out more about landslides at Ready.gov.

Download landslides checklist from NFPA.

Hazard Maps and Information from the Association of Bay Area Governments.

OIL SPILLS

An oil spill is the release of liquid petroleum into the environment as a result of human carelessness. The term often refers to marine oil spills, where oil is released into the ocean or coastal waters. Spills take months or even years to clean up. Oil spills are highly toxic to fish, birds, animals, and human populations.

Marine mammals and seabirds are severely affected by spills as the oil penetrates the structure of fur and plumage, reducing the natural insulating ability and leading to death by hypothermia. Ingestion of the oil also causes dehydration and impaired digestion.

Find out more about oil spills from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

See Frequently Asked Questions about oil spills at Coastal.ca.gov.

Hazard Maps and Information from the Association of Bay Area Governments.

WHAT IS PANDEMIC H1N1 (SWINE) FLU?

It is a type of flu caused by a new virus. When a new flu virus emerges, no one has immunity.

Because everyone is susceptible and no one is immune, the flu can quickly go from being an epidemic, that affects a large number of people at the same time, to a pandemic of illness that spreads quickly across a large region, such as a continent or even worldwide.

Recognize the symptoms of Pandemic H1N1 (Swine) Flu.

Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever (may be 101oF or higher) and any of the following:

• Chills
• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Headache and body aches
• Diarrhea and vomiting

What can I do to prevent getting sick with Pandemic or Seasonal Flu?

Avoid close contact with those that are ill. Practice frequent hand washing and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as these are easy entry points for the virus. Practice good health habits, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising, and getting sufficient rest.

To prevent the spread of germs remember to cover your coughs and sneezes and wash your hands after coughing or sneezing. Also, it is important to stay home if you are sick with a fever and other flu like symptoms to avoid sharing the virus with others.

Most importantly, get the flu shot when it is available!

This is the first and most important step to protect against getting the regular or pandemic flu. You need a seasonal flu vaccine (shot) every year, so contact your medical provider to find out when and how to get flu vaccine. A new vaccine for the Pandemic H1N1 Flu may be ready later this year.

• Flu vaccine is especially important for people who may have a greater chance of getting serious flu complications, such as young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart or lung disease, and people 65 and older. The regular flu shot that is offered every year will not protect you from pandemic H1N1 flu.

Medications that may help lessen the symptoms of flu:

Warning! Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is not recommended for children or teenagers who have the flu; it can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome.

• Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist for correct, safe use of medications.
• Fevers and aches can often be treated with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®).

For one stop access to U.S. government information on pandemic flu and to learn more about how to protect yourself, family and others against the Pandemic H1N1 (Swine) flu, visit www.Flu.gov.

For local information about pandemic preparedness, go to San Mateo County Health Department's pandemic flu information and resources.

Hazard Maps and Information from the Association of Bay Area Governments.

SEVERE WEATHER

Extreme heat is often called a heat wave – it is an extended period of high temperature often with high humidity. These conditions often cause heat exhaustion which can lead to heatstroke, which can be dangerous and even life threatening. Severe heat waves have caused catastrophic crop failures and widespread power outages due to increased use of air conditioning.

Severe winter storms can cause subfreezing temperatures, as well as strong winds or even ice or heavy rainstorms. Of primary concern is the winter weather's ability to knock out heat, power, and communication services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time. Extreme winter cold often causes poorly insulated water pipelines and mains to freeze. Exposure to extreme cold can lead to hypothermia and frostbite, which require medical attention.

Find out more about extreme heat and winter storms at Ready.gov.

Download extreme heat checklist and severe winter storms checklist from NFPA.

Download Sandbag Resources and Directions.

Download Weather Safety.

Hazard Maps and Information from the Association of Bay Area Governments.

TERRORISM

Terrorism is often violent or other harmful acts committed (or threatened) against civilians with the intent of creating fear. Most definitions of terrorism include only violent acts that are intended to further an ideological goal and that deliberately target nonmilitary people.

Immediate Action Response - The Big Five

Terrorist threats come in many forms, including biological, chemical, explosives, nuclear, and radioactive.

COMMUNICATION, RELATIONSHIPS, IDENTITY, VALUABLES

A tsunami is a series of waves created when a body of water, such as an ocean, is rapidly displaced by an earthquake, volcanic eruption or other underwater explosion, landslide, or other large impact. Nuclear weapon tests at sea have the potential to generate a tsunami. The effects of a tsunami can range from unnoticeable to devastating.

A tsunami wave has a short height compared to its very long length, often hundreds of miles long. This is why tsunamis can be difficult to see from the land or air.

Determine if your neighborhood is in a potential tsunami inundation zone on the internet by going to Cal EMA's "My Hazard" website: http://myhazards.calema.ca.gov/

To check and see if your neighborhood is in the area that could be evacuated when there is a Tsunami warning and where to go please see the attached maps:

• Half Moon Bay
• Pacifica
• South Coast

Learn more by downloading bay area map and tsunami brochure.

Find out more about tsunamis at Ready.gov.

See Frequently Asked Questions about tsunamis at NOAA.gov.

Visit National Weather Service

Hazard Maps and Information from the Association of Bay Area Government

Watch Video To Know What To Do During A Tsunami