Other Side of the Ring (of Fire)

Leaving Portland, Oregon with the potential for THE BIG EARTHQUAKE wasn’t something I thought about when we moved to Tokyo,.. UNTIL the other week when I attended the “Tokyo Here & Now” event geared towards expats who recently moved to Tokyo. A fabulous 2 day event where I met a lot of foreigners (including 2 from Portland), and learned about healthcare, food, shopping, culture and about Earthquake preparedness. WHAT? Yes, Japan is the other side of the Ring of Fire and since the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake, dubbed 3/11, Japan has taken serious measures to prepare for the BIG EARTHQUAKE! Portland friends, please take note, here are ways you can prepare for the BIG ONE!

Since starting this post a couple of weeks ago, this evening we are preparing for Typhoon Hagibis, which is considered an “explosive” typhoon since it gained strength very rapidly and heading to Tokyo. As we were watching all the warnings of flooding and crested rivers, we had an EARTHQUAKE, a 5.3 M earthquake. Even the news anchor interrupted the typhoon news with the latest information of where the earthquake occurred, near Chiba. Since we have moved to Tokyo 2 months ago, we have experienced 2 Typhoons and I have felt 2 earthquakes. Each day this region experiences many earthquakes not usually felt by people.

Back to Earthquake preparedness checklist, Portland friends, here are tips to help you prepare for the BIG ONE!

Step 1- Know how to react in an earthquake: Take cover, where nothing can topple over you or move towards you. Protect yourself while shaking occurs. Take cover first and when shaking stops, you can open a door to secure your exit. In an elevator: push all the floor buttons and get out at the nearest floor, take the stairs to exit. Walking on the street: stay away from large glass windows and brick walls, protect your head. If you are near the coast: listen for Tsunami warnings and head to higher ground. Know the coastal area and where to evacuate to higher ground in case of Tsunami.

Step 2- Get information. if you phone is working, get information on the situation, earthquake, tsunami etc. Know websites for places you can collect information.

Step 3- Connect with your loved ones. Create a safety plan on how to contact each other. In Japan, they have a system where you can dial and leave messages via a message board to record and retrieve messages. In Portland, this would be something great to find out if it is available.

Step 4- Know your evacuation/ neighborhood shelters and plan for your family to meet up. Keep your loved ones phone numbers in your wallet if your cell phone is not working. Most people don’t know their loved ones phone number by heart. Have important phone numbers written down in case of emergencies and no cell coverage.

Step 5- Earthquake proof your home- secure large furniture- bookshelves, cupboards, refrigerators, place stoppers on your cabinets and bookshelves, place straps to prevent books from falling out, place gel mats under TV, microwave, glass doors, secure pendant lighting, place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

Items to have on a Daily Basis: mini LED flashlight, whistle, mobile battery charger, tissues, wet tissues, large handkerchief, Candy/ gum, energy bars, water, cash, and any prescription medication needed.

Items to keep at Home for your Emergency Kit: Basic Items: LED flashlight, lanterns, radio, work gloves, plastic wrap, paper plates, plastic cutlery, portable stove, gas canisters, candles, head light, matches/ lighter, packing tape, bucket, hand cart, helmet, can opener. Food: emergency food, water, vitamins, snacks (chocolate, energy bars), instant coffee/ tea, canned foods, rice. Personal Care: band aids, bandages, sanitizer, tissue, surgical masks, dry shampoo, feminine products, toiletries, toilet paper, paper towels, emergency portable toilets, garbage bags & medication. In case of fire/ emergency: fire extinguisher, hammer, axe, shovel, crowbar, saw. Baby goods (if applicable): diapers, wipes, baby blanket, baby bottle, infant formula, baby food, baby snacks, paper cups.

I have a lot to prepare! I wanted to share this information with others in Portland since Portland is also due for the BIG Earthquake. Talk to your family about preparation and have a plan in place. Be safe!