“It’s not a question of IF but WHEN the next big earthquake will hit Mexico City” told me an Italian guy that had lived in the city for the past 4 years. I have never really experienced an earthquake and I have a mild obsession with End-of-the-World movies so I had to delve on the matter and find out mostly what I was getting into.
In case you don’t know, Mexico is one of the shakiest places in the planet, this is a combination of a very specific type of ground (or the lack of it) and its location in between plates. Long ago, the region was covered by lakes, after years of drainage the city sits nowadays over dirt and sand that tends to be less stable than bedrock and moves more and longer during an earthquake. On top of that, Mexico lies just north of the boundary between the North American Plate and the Cocos and Rivera tectonic plates. The Cocos Plate is sub-ducting under the North American Plate at a rate of 67 mm per year, while the Pacific and Rivera plates are moving northwest relative to the North American Plate. Southern Mexico also contains numerous faults, which causes that section of the country to have high tectonic activity. All in all, we are basically living over a big Martini about to be shaken by a giant barman, and hence, anyone living in this area, needs to be prepared for the next big earthquake around us.
There’s no need to panic, but these were some nice tips given by the Mexican government. If you read Spanish, we strongly encourage to read the following guide but if not, we give you the most important information on the subject;
Before the Earthquake: How to Be Prepared
For peace of mind download a Seismic Alarm App on your phone. We liked the free version of SkyAlert but if you’re super worried get the premium version.
If you're indoors, and you hear the earthquake alarm go off, get out of the house - quickly!
Earthquakes can happen anytime of the day and night, so make sure you always have some shoes and clothes in case you need to evacuate.
Prepare a little backpack with some essentials to take with you in case of evacuation. Water bottles, non-perishable food, some copies of important documents -passport copies, INM copies, blood type and medical information of family members- cash, blankets, first aid kit, flashlights, extra batteries, pen&paper, medications and if possible a portable radio should be included in this bag that needs to be handy at all times.
At home, have some extra food to fend for yourself in case you can come back after the earthquake. Think backpack contents but multiplied for 3 to 7 days, (if you have enough pantry space). Once the earthquake hits, you don’t know when will services like electricity, gas or water be running again ideally you will have a portable cooking source, drinking water, means of communication etc.
Have an evacuation plan AND a meeting point with all your family members.
During an Earthquake
If you're indoors, stay there. Get under -- and hold onto --a desk or table. Stay clear of exterior walls, glass, heavy furniture, fireplaces and appliances. The kitchen is a particularly dangerous spot; The bathroom seems to be a safer spot.
If you’re in an office building, stay away from windows and outside walls and do not use the elevator. If you're outside, get into the open. Stay clear of buildings, power lines or anything else that could fall on you.
If you're driving, move the car out of traffic and stop. Avoid parking under or on bridges or overpasses. Try to get clear of trees, light posts, signs and power lines. When you resume driving, watch out for road hazards.
If you’re in a crowded public place, avoid panicking and do not rush for the exit.
Rather than trying to remain standing, it is better to take the safety position: get down on one knee and keep the other foot flat on the ground. This way you are stable, and not in danger of toppling over. Yet with one foot on the ground, you are prepared to stand up and run if you need to quickly relocate to a safer location, or run to someone’s aid.
After an Earthquake
If you are able to, close Gas, Water and Electricity Supplies, and any source of possible fire hazard or leaks. Remember, don’t smoke, use candles nor lighters, in case of gas explosions. Your best bet is the torchlight you had in your back pack.
Do not use your phone unless there is an emergency, lines will be extremely busy. If you have to, try to use SMS instead of Whatsapp to communicate your whereabouts to your loved ones.
If you are trapped, stay calm. Try to get someone’s attention by tapping on hard or metal parts of the structure. Doing so may increase your chances of being rescued.
If you leave home, leave a written message stating your location in case your loved ones come looking for you.
(Not so) Fun Fact
Mexico City has suffered several major earthquakes throughout its history, but its stuff of novels to think that the two latest and major earthquakes happened the same day 32 years apart. On the 19th September 1985, the city was struck by an 8.1 earthquake that shattered the city and destroyed entire neighbourhoods. Thousands of people lost their lives and over a quarter of a million lost their homes. The government response was so slow that the Civil Society rallied and started the rescue endeavours on its own. 32 years later, a 7.1 earthquake hit the city once again a mere 2 hours after a city-wide drill that commemorated the 32nd anniversary of the 1985 earthquake. While the damage was significantly less than the previous earthquake, there was still a lot of damage across the city and once again, CDMX residents showed their solidarity and resilience when they came together to help in the rescue efforts of the city. The absolute hero of the rescue efforts was Frida, a beautiful Lab Retriver that helped saved over 52 lives in her career.
Why do you care? there is a high chance that you will experience an earthquake while living in CDMX
Who: Everyone! make sure you have a comprehensive plan with your family
When: Anytime!
Additional Info: Download the SkyAlert App and read thoroughly our Earthquake Prep Guide, don't forget to prepare your emergency bag-pack