Just felt an earthquake here at work. Apparently it’s a 5.8 5.4. Right as it was happening, and in fact right after it happened, everyone stood there frozen, in shock, either with their eyes glazed over, or asking what to do. (BTW, no one I saw dove underneath a desk or headed towards a doorway.)
This other guy and I, though, immediately went outside to the open grass. I told everyone to go outside, too, as we were scurrying past them. But everyone stood there shocked and didn’t seem to hear what I said even though I said it very clearly and loudly. They wouldn’t budge.
However, now that we’re back in the office building and everything seems fine again, this other guy and I look like we were the crazy ones for having gone outside in the first place! But in my opinion, if it had been any more serious, we would not be the ones stuck beneath the rubble after a huge building just crashed down on us! Better safe than sorry.
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Wow! Any other damage in the area?
Oh, thankfully, no damage here to report. A few people are leaving home early, though, to check on their family and homes and stuff.
And a lot of people are just sitting around here with their eyes fixed on the news, too. I even heard the Governator is supposed to speak soon. I assume he’s addressing the quake.
Not sure what he’ll say though? I expect him to say something like, “Greethings Calivornia. I aym sorry. I did not want to hyurt you. But I caused de quake when I fell down de stairs dis aftanoon!”
Heh. I didn’t even know that the quake would listen to a gubernatorial address! California _is_ different!
I’m sure that McBain, er, um, whatever his name is would cause that much damage from falling. hehe
Glad to hear everyone is okay.
Wait… is “gubernatorial” right?
Funniest. Comment. Ever.
Just in case you ever need to know, the best thing to do in case of an earthquake is to stand in a doorway. This works best if you’re in a building with more doorways than people, like at home, of course.
The reason is twofold. If you’re in a doorway, nothing can fall on you, but also, if something heavy falls on a floor above you, the wall stands a better chance of supporting it than anything else does.
That’s one of exactly two things I remember from my college geology class. The other thing is why levees can’t work.