Earthquake guide: sources
Official sources used in this guide, and where to go for local help.
Safety steps in this guide were checked against official public guidance current as of November 2026. Official pages can be updated, so follow the source if it differs from this guide.
Official sources
- Earthquakes — Ready.gov
- Build a kit — Ready.gov
- Water — Ready.gov
- Earthquake Safety Checklist (FEMA B-526) — FEMA
- Earthquake Safety at Home (FEMA P-530) — FEMA
- Earthquake safety and preparedness — American Red Cross
- Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety — Earthquake Country Alliance
- Staying Safe Where the Earth Shakes — Earthquake Country Alliance and Cal OES
- How do I sign up for ShakeAlert? — U.S. Geological Survey
- USGS Earthquake Hazards Program — U.S. Geological Survey
- Get early warning alerts — Earthquake Warning California (Cal OES)
- Family Readiness Guide — Cal OES
- Earthquake preparedness — Cal OES
- MyHazards — Cal OES
- Sign up for county emergency alerts — CalAlerts
- California tsunami program — Cal OES
- Earthquake Brace + Bolt — California Residential Mitigation Program
- California Earthquake Authority — CEA
- Mobilehome earthquake bracing (ERBS) permits and forms — California HCD
For local help with preparedness questions, Californians can dial 2-1-1 or visit 211ca.org, and should also check their county Office of Emergency Services for local alerts and guidance.
Disclosure and disclaimer — please read
Disclosure: This page has no affiliate links. Other pages on this site do — see the affiliate disclosure.
Not a substitute for official guidance: This guide is general home-preparedness information for a general audience. It is not a substitute for official instructions from emergency managers, your utility, or first responders, and it is not a building inspection, a permit, or professional engineering, plumbing, or electrical advice. Local codes and permit rules apply, especially for gas, electrical, and structural work. In an emergency, follow official alerts and call 9-1-1 for life-threatening situations. Safety steps were checked against official public guidance current as of November 2026; official pages can be updated, so follow the source if it differs from this guide.