A minor 3.0-magnitude earthquake struck near Morongo Valley on Saturday afternoon, and brief shaking was observed nearby in the northwestern Coachella Valley.
The earthquake was reported at 1:08 p.m. about five miles southwest of Morongo Valley, with a 4.5-mile depth, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
What should I do during an earthquake?
Be prepared to immediately practice drop, cover and hold on the moment you feel shaking, said the Earthquake Country Alliance.
Here’s how it works and why you should do it:
Drop: Dropping onto your hands and knees protects you from being knocked down and reduces your chances of being hit by flying or falling objects.
Cover: Cover your head with one arm and hand. If a study table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it; otherwise, crawl next to an interior wall.
Hold on: Hold on to the shelter you’ve crawled under as it can shift with the earthquake. If you aren’t underneath anything, hold onto your head and neck with both arms and hands.
People who use canes and can’t practice drop, cover and hold on should sit on a bed or chair and cover their head and neck with both hands. People who use wheelchairs should lock their wheels, if possible, and protect their necks and heads with their arms, a book, or a pillow. The Earthquake Country Alliance has other guidance for older adults and people with disabilities during an earthquake that can be found online at earthquakecountry.org/accessibility.
If you are outside, stay outdoors and away from buildings, according to Ready.gov. You’ll also want to get away from trees or power lines as they can both topple in an earthquake, according to the California Earthquake Authority.
What if I’m driving during an earthquake?
Slow down and pull over as soon as it’s safe, according to the California Highway Patrol. Remain in the vehicle with your seat belt fastened, engine off, and parking brake set. Once the shaking stops, check your vehicle for damage and its occupants for injuries. Only begin driving when it is safe to do so. Once you can start moving again, do so slowly and cautiously, avoiding any areas of the road that appear damaged or obstructed, and continue to avoid bridges and ramps.
United States Geological Survey recommends that motorists should not stop at these areas:
On or under a bridge or overpass
Under light posts, power lines or signs
More: Why do earthquakes happen?
How can I prepare for an earthquake?
Follow the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety from the Earthquake Country Alliance, which was developed with experts in earthquake science, preparedness and mitigation, according to the alliance. An in-depth explanation of every step can be found at earthquakecountry.org/sevensteps
Step 1: Secure your space. Think about what objects in your home could be thrown around and that could hurt you. Maybe it’s a bookcase near your bed that could fall over and injure you or a TV in your living room that can do some damage to a loved one spending time there during an earthquake. Then, secure the items you identify as a concern or place them elsewhere in your help to prevent a future injury.
Step 2: Plan to be safe. Create an emergency plan, including an evacuation and reunion plan, and have earthquake drills to practice your plan so that you and your loved ones know what to do in an earthquake.
Step 3: Organize emergency supplies. Have your emergency supplies in accessible locations. Know that in the event of a large earthquake, electricity, water, transportation and emergency response agencies may be disrupted. This means you’ll want to have supplies to last your household for ideally two weeks, including water, food, flashlights and more.
Step 4: Minimize financial hardship. This includes having all your most important documents ready to be grabbed if you have to evacuate your home, such as identification or how to file an insurance claim, and identifying how you could improve the structural integrity of your home.
Step 5: Drop, Cover and Hold On. Steps five and six detail what to do during an earthquake.
Step 6: Improve safety. When shaking stops, see if you have any injuries that need your attention or if you are trained to, provide first aid assistance to someone else. Identify any hazards around you such as damage to a building or an electric line. Remember that aftershocks can cause additional damage and threaten your safety, so get to a safe location.
Step 7: Reconnect and restore. After a big earthquake, follow your disaster plan and use your supplies. You’ll want to monitor local radio and television to learn about emergency assistance that may be available to you, take pictures of any damage to your property and contact your insurance company in the days following an earthquake.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Small earthquake reported near Morongo Valley on Saturday