4 Key Takeaways to Strengthen Earthquake Preparedness in Orange County

Strengthen your earthquake preparedness.

Miriam Aldana, WEROC Specialist, Municipal Water District of Orange County
April 7, 2026

April is a meaningful time to reflect on earthquake safety and preparedness, especially as we remember historic events that have shaped disaster response and resilience efforts. Observing past events reminds us that preparedness may help reduce long term impact. Become more resilient towards disasters, whether man-made or natural, by developing or revisiting your family and workplace emergency kits.

1. Historic Earthquakes Highlight the Importance of Preparedness.

One of the most significant earthquakes in U.S. history occurred on April 18, 1906, the San Francisco earthquake. A catastrophic 7.9-magnitude earthquake caused fires, destroying much of the city, and had an estimated death toll of approximately 3,000 people.

Another earthquake, following a series of low-magnitude seismic events, occurred on July 4, 2019, in Ridgecrest, California, causing structural damage and building fires, including the partial destruction of a home. Around 20 injuries were reported, primarily from shattered glass and falling debris. Some gas lines broke, prompting utility companies to shut off service. Over 6,000 customers lost power.

2. Local Impacts

In Orange County, earthquakes have had significant impacts, such as the 2014 La Habra earthquake, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake, centered in the City of Brea, which caused many water main breaks in the Cities of Fullerton, Brea, and La Habra. More than 70 families were temporarily displaced from their homes, and the Brea-Olinda School District was required to bus kids to different schools for almost one year as one of the schools suffered significant damage. This earthquake was responsible for an estimated 10.8 million dollars in reported damages.

3. A Call to Be Prepared

For those of us who live in California, earthquakes are part of our landscape and our way of life. They are not a question of if, but when. It is up to each of us to take personal responsibility and be as prepared as possible for the next earthquake in Southern California.

4. Practical Steps for Preparedness

  • Build or update your emergency kit with these items: water (1 gal/person/day ideally for 7-14 days), non-perishable foods, flashlights with extra batteries, first-aid kit supplies, prescription medications, portable phone chargers, and copies of important documents.
  • Plan for everyone in your household, including older adults, individuals with access and functional needs, children, and pets. Include water, medication, a favorite toy, and pet food.
  • Develop a comprehensive family communication plan. Identify an out-of-area person as a single point of contact for family members to call and ensure all family members know important contact phone numbers. Establish meeting locations (near home and outside your neighborhood).
  • Practice your emergency plan annually so all family members are prepared.
  • Register with AlertOC online at alertoc.com to receive important information during emergencies. AlertOC is the county’s mass notification system used by government officials to keep residents and businesses informed during emergencies.

Additional preparedness resources may be found at ReadyOC (www.readyoc.org), Orange County’s emergency preparedness resource site, which provides guidance and information on preparedness for all ages. The site also provides volunteer opportunities and information on the most common hazards the county may face.

Administered by MWDOC, the Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County (WEROC) helps protect Orange County’s water and wastewater systems through emergency planning and coordinated response. Learn more about WEROC at www.mwdoc.com/weroc.