Earthquake everywhere

We were on jeepney going to Tarlac City public market on late April afternoon when we notice a commotion among the crowd in the sidewalks. My initial thought was that somebody is fighting against somebody and has called the attention of the people. Until somebody rode the jeep and has murmured "lakas ng lindol". Since we are on a moving vehicle, we missed that frightened feeling on being shook up by an earthquake.

It was an intensity 6.2 earthquake with Castillejos, Zambales as its epicenter. The shake was strongly felt in Central Luzon and Metro Manila. Moments later, postings such as tensed urban workers, shaking buildings, condo pools massively dripping and people running away from beach have emerged and dominated social media. But it was Porac, Pampanga that took the nation's attention with the destruction of Chunzon Supermarket and burying many of people under its ground. 

The following day, another earthquake with an intensity of 5.2 hit Eastern Samar. It brought back the memories of 2013 when Bohol got hit by a devastating earthquake and the tidal wave brought by Typhoon Yolanda on the very same region. And on for the 3rd consecutive day, a weaker earthquake but still can be felt earthquake was experienced in Mindanao. No casualties for both the Visayas and Mindanao earthquakes reported compared to the one in Luzon (particularly Pampanga). 

My normal reaction is review my family' emergency plan when another earthquake hits. It is fortunate that our house is just in front of an open ground, a grassy farm with no nearby vulnerable structures. Apart from that, the classic "duck, cover and hold under the table" is part of the plan in case running towards the farm is not possible. The Red Cross has shared tips on preparedness before, during and after an earthquake: 

Before:

• Assembling emergency preparedness kit
• Creating household evacuation plan
• Keeping emergency numbers of fire department, rescue, EMS, police, medical personnel
• Check household from falling objects
• Purchase battery operated radio and flashlight including battery supplies

During:

• Drop, cover and hold
• Stay indoors until shaking stop before exiting home
• If you smell gas, get out the house and move away as fast as possible
• If outdoor, go a clear spot and drop to the ground
• Try to get away as far as possible from buildings
• If you are in mountains or near unstable slopes, be alert of falling rocks and debris
• If in a vehicle, pull a stop to a clear location and wait for the shaking to stop

After:

• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid help if possible before trying to help others
• After an earthquake, expect and prepare for another aftershocks, landslides or even tsunamis.
• If you are at home, look quickly for damage in and around home and get everyone out if it is unsafe.
• Listen to a portable radio for updated emergency information and instructions
• Pay attention to you and how your loved ones handle stress
• Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline and other flamable liquids immediately
• When cleaning home, wear protective gears when cleaning home

Nobody wants an earthquake or any calamity for that matter. But since this Acts of God are natural and would come unexpectedly most of the time, being prepared and informed mitigates potential damages and lost. Lastly, do not panic otherwise, all preparation will be thrown out of the window.