According to the latest U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model, approximately 230 million people face the potential of a damaging earthquake in the next 100 years. Find out the probability of an earthquake where you live. Plus, learn what you can do to minimize damage to your property and keep you and your family safe from this unpredictable occurrence.

Know Your Risk

What’s the risk of a damaging earthquake in your location? Find out on the United States Geological Survey map.

Key findings from this updated model include:

• Nearly 75% of the U.S. could experience potentially damaging earthquakes and intense ground shaking.

• Over the past 200 years, 37 states have experienced earthquakes exceeding magnitude 5.

• There’s a possibility of more damaging earthquakes along the central and northeastern Atlantic Coastal corridor, including the cities of Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.

• The seismically active regions of California and Alaska have the potential for greater damaging shaking than in the past.

• This map includes information from nearly 500 additional faults, better-characterized land surfaces, and computational advancements in modeling since the last version published in 2018.

Take Precautions

Now that you know your risk, what can you do? Fortunately, there are several precautions you can take to prepare for an earthquake. Here are a few of the most common:

Make a plan. Create an earthquake plan and practice it regularly. Know where to meet if your home is unsafe and have enough supplies to last for several days.

Anchor heavy objects. Anchor top-heavy or large furniture, like bookshelves, or move them to areas of the home where they are less likely to cause injuries if they fall.

Secure fixtures and electronics. Provide extra anchoring to objects and appliances, such as ceiling fans, televisions, and picture frames. And fasten water heaters, which are connected to both water and gas lines, with additional reinforcement, such as straps.

Keep gas line connections flexible. Have flexible connections installed where gas lines connect to your home and to the units within your home.

Reinforce external parts of your home. Secure decks, porches, canopies, and other items surrounding your home to keep them from falling and causing damage or injury.

Earthquake insurance. Consider purchasing earthquake coverage to protect your home and valuable personal investments.

Home insurance policies typically don’t cover damages caused by an earthquake. Westwood offers a separate earthquake insurance policy which can provide coverage for your dwelling, personal property, and temporary living arrangements. Contact a Westwood agent today to discuss your options for this important protection.

Please Note: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent any specific insurance policy and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions of any current policy.