BREAKING NEWS, an Earthquake; What to Do Next?

An earthquake tremor was felt from Virginia to New York this afternoon, August 23, 2011 at 2:13pm. It is reported on Yahoo! News to have been 5.9 on the Richter scale and was felt from Virgina to New England, where the President is vacationing. Tremors emminated from Virginia, straight to the capitol, and up the east coast, as far as Martha's Vineyard. The capitol was evacuated. Here are a few tips,from Fema, the Federal Emergency Management Agency on what you can do to stay safe. See the full text of the article "What To Do During An Earthquake " for complete details on action you can take in every situation..

"What to Do During an Earthquake

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; andHOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn't a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway
• DO NOT use the elevators...

If outdoors

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires..."

Education is important. Know what to do in an emergency. Even if you think you know what to do, brush up now on your emergency preparedness in situations, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and flash floods, tornados, etc; especially particular to your geographical location . In an emergency keep calm. Keep a clear head and use the advice given by FEMA. They're the experts in catastrophic occurrences and can best direct you on how to handle a situation in the safest manner. Practice what to do with your family. And-post a emergency preparedness bulletin in your home in a high traffic area such as the kitchen, family room, bathroom etc. Better yet, post one in several areas. It's better to be safe, not sorry.

From FEMA, here's an Emergency Planning and Checklist
Also, this page from FEMA has the following safety lists;
Getting Informed
Basic Preparedness
Emergency Planning and Checklist
Assemble Disaster Supplies
Shelter
Hazard Specific Preparedness
Practicing and Maintaining Your Plan