String Of Small Quakes Shake Residents Into Action

The continued shaking around the Southland is leaving some valley residents unsettled.

” It’s scary,” said Taylor Smith.

Since the big Easter day earthquake hit, there have been hundreds of aftershocks and smaller quakes.

“We felt the big one in El Centro,” said Blair Brady.

Brady sells emergency kits and it’s been a busy month for business.

“People are getting generally prepared, but sales have increased since the tremors,” said Brady.

Emergency crews say when the big one hits everyone will need to fend for themselves. There won’t be enough rescue crews to help everyone, so it’s critical to prepare now.

“Unfortunately our resources are limited and we can’t respond to everyone,” said Jeremy Keenan, Cathedral City Fire Fighter. “We have to tackle the city as a whole, not individuals.”

“Being an outdoors person I’m always aware of my surrounding and what’s available to me, so that will help me,” said Nakia Eyraud.

However, emergency crews say being an outdoors man is not enough.

“If you go outdoors and camp it does help, but you need to do more to get prepared and have an emergency kit,” said Keenan.

Experts say residents should have enough food and water to last at least 72 hours, but a lot of people don’t.

“I’m not as prepared as I should be,” said Eyraud.

“I definitely need to get more prepared,” said Smith.