Countless men, women and children have experienced the tragic nature of an earthquake and have survived and thrived. The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.

TSC has scoured the Internet and assembled the links to the very best earthquake resources: articles, blogs, forums and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional and other challenges you may face.

As you'll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this Earthquake Guide even more helpful to survivors like you.

Just Found Out

Survivors Say: Best Resources for Dealing with an Earthquake

• The National Earthquake Information Center
• Helping Kids Understand Earthquakes
• Understanding Earthquakes From UCSB

The Big Picture

Earthquakes are unpredictable.  While there are certain regions that are more prone to earthquakes than others, earthquakes can (and have) struck almost every country and region. Earthquakes are an unpreventable natural disaster. While they can't be stopped, you can protect yourself by preparing for small to medium-size quakes.

Earthquake Preparedness Tips [PDF File]

Your Earthquake Experience

Your earthquake experience will depend on where you live, the type of structure that you live in, where the epicenter of the quake is, and the magnitude of the shock. To learn more about earthquakes, visit the Southern California Earthquake Center site. While the site is focused on Southern California, the information is relevant for all regions of the world.

Earthquake Facts From The Southern California Earthquake Center

Earthquake insurance is now separate from most homeowners' policies and involves an additional cost.  Find out more about earthquake insurance:

• MSN.com: Get the Facts on Earthquake Insurance
• The California Earthquake Authority

After an earthquake, there are several things you should and should not do:

UC Davis: What to Do and Not Do After an Earthquake

Your World

When you've survived a major earthquake, you can count your blessings that you're still alive. But at the same time, the emotions associated with surviving a major quake can be overwhelming during and after the experience.

SeattlePI.com: After the quake, some find life on terror firma a little shakier

Earthquake Myths

• Big quakes always happen in the early morning.
• Earthquakes occur during “earthquake weather.”
• When an earthquake happens, a chasm may open up along the fault, and anybody standing over the fault will fall in and be swallowed-up by the violent earth.

Information and Recommended Links for Survivors

• USGS: Latest Earthquakes in the World
• Foster City.org: The Cause of Earthquakes
• Oita Prefecture: 10 Rules for Protecting Yourself in an Earthquake

Local Organizations That Can Help

Prepare for disasters such as earthquakes, and find help when a disaster such as an earthquake hits, from organizations that specialize in such programs, such as World Cares Center:

World Cares Center Disaster Preparedness

Churches can be a focal point for grass roots disaster relief efforts.  If you are having trouble finding someone who can help you get back on your feet following an earthquake, you may consider reaching out to a local church group:

FlockFinder.com: Churches by State

Creating a Support Circle

•    Set up your TSC Survivor Profile
•    Join support groups of other survivors or set up your own
•    Interact and provide updates on your profile or our forums  

Professionals Who Can Help

If your house sustains damage, and you have earthquake insurance, first contact your insurance provider. 

If you need a contractor, whether it's for earthquake repair or for any other reason, it helps if you can “speak their language.”  Here are 8 tips for dealing with contractors that should help you under any circumstances:

The Motley Fool: 8 Tips For Dealing With Contractors

The Federal Trade Commission has some words of cautionary advice on dealing with contractors following a natural disaster, such as an earthquake.  Remember, following an earthquake a lot of people are going to be looking for contractors, which may increase demand for less-qualified contractors. Know how to protect yourself:

The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for Dealing with Contractors After a Disaster [PDF File]

Health-care Providers Who Can Help

If you or a friend or family member sustains injuries during an earthquake, you may need to go to the emergency room. Taking care of health-care emergencies will mean driving yourself or your loved one to a hospital, calling 911, or getting advice from your family doctor.

To minimize potential injuries, educate yourself on safety practices:

Medscape: Earthquake

After almost any earthquake, children can become especially traumatized. Fortunately there are professionals available who specialize in treating the stress that children feel following a quake.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Talking is an important form of therapy, and having someone to talk to can relieve the stress that many survivors of an earthquake experience. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of mental heath experts that you can contact, broken down on a state-by-state basis.  Find a mental health organization in your state:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Mental Health Organizations by State

The Emotional Rollercoaster

Surviving an earthquake can be emotionally demanding. After an earthquake, it's important to continue living your life normally, participating in the same daily activities you've always done. Support groups are also important to maintaining a healthy emotional state. Other than that, educating yourself on earthquakes may help you process your experience and move on.

Books Survivors Recommend

• Earthquakes, Fifth Edition
• Earthquakes in Human History: The Far-Reaching Effects of Seismic Disruptions  
• Witness to Disaster: Earthquakes 

What Survivors Wish They'd Known

Communicating with Professionals Involved in Your Recovery

• Bring a friend or family member with you to your appointments, not only to provide support but to lend an extra ear to understand everything your health-care provider, insurance provider or contractor has to say and to think up any more questions you may not realize are important at the time.
  
• Don't be afraid to ask any questions you feel you need the answer to, even if you may be scared of the answer. Ignorance won't help you - emotionally, financially or physically.
  
• Write down any questions you may have ahead of time and the answers to those questions as the professional walks you through them.  Don't be afraid to ask for clarification on anything.

Dealing with Earthquakes: Information for Co-Survivors

How you can help

As a co-survivor, the best thing you can do is to offer to help out with basic needs. Losing a home in an earthquake will leave a survivor overwhelmed with emotions.  It's hard for anyone to think straight under such trying conditions.  Offering food, shelter, an extra vehicle and clothing will allow the survivor to concentrate on other matters, such as the business of recovery. There are a thousand and one things that neighbors can do for neighbors after a quake.  The National Red Cross has a whole list of ways you can take care of yourself and be a good Samaritan.

The Red Cross’s Guide To What to Do After a Quake

What to say

• “I'm so sorry for your loss.”
  
• “How can I help?”
  
• “You’re not in this alone. I’m here for you.”
  

What not to say

• “Well, what do you expect when you live in earthquake country?”
  
• “Don’t worry about it.  It’s only a house.”
  
• “The insurance companies are really going to be screwing everyone today.”
  

Things you can do for a survivor every day

• Surviving parents will need help in caring for their children.  If you are able to help out with the kids, you can give the parents a chance to attend to the business of recovery.
  
• Sharing time and offering activities such as dinner and a movie can provide a much-needed distraction and help survivors to find a balance between recovery and recreation.
  
• If you have the time and the skills, offer to help with the rebuilding process. If you’re not good with a hammer and a saw, offer an ear to someone who is stressed out about the rebuilding and recovery process.
  

How to build a support network

• Set up your TSC Co-Survivor profile
  
• Create a support group for your friend or family member
  
• Interact and provide updates
  

How to help a survivor deal with day-to-day challenges

Transportation is often a problem following an earthquake.  Even if roads are passable, often a survivor’s vehicle may not be drivable. Helping survivors to and from school and work will greatly help reduce the mental and emotional stress of surviving and rebuilding following a major earthquake.

Recovery / Recurrence

Statistically, most people will never be in a major earthquake (6.0 or higher on the Richter Scale). However, many of those who have experienced such a life-altering event could end up dealing with the same thing all over again a few years later.  Learning the steps you can take to increase your chances of survival can go a long way.

Geology.com: Earthquake Safety Tips

For more guidance, watch a video on how to survive an earthquake.

Earthquake Country.info: Surviving and Earthquake

Give Back

What helped you while you were dealing with the earthquake, rebuilding your life, and then were back on track? Take a look back at your journey and share with others what helped you and what you wished you would have known/done during your earthquake experience. You can create a profile, reach out to other survivors, join support circles or share your story by following the links at TheSurvivorsClub.org.

For a charity that supports disaster survivors, consider contributing to World Cares Center:

Get Involved - World Cares Center 

Earthquakes often result in the loss of more than just property.  In a major quake, there is almost always the loss of human life. Losing a loved one in a sudden and devastating event such as a major earthquake is a shock that often leaving an incomparable grief in its wake.

Medicinenet.com: Loss, Grief and Bereavement