How to Create an Earthquake Emergency Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide

18 min read

An earthquake emergency plan takes about an hour to create and costs nothing — but it can save your family's life. Despite this, FEMA's national household survey data consistently shows that fewer than half of American households have a written disaster plan of any kind.

The difference between a family that evacuates safely and one that doesn't often comes down to whether they discussed the basics before the ground started shaking: Where do we meet? Who do we call? How do we shut off the gas?

This guide walks you through creating a complete earthquake emergency plan, step by step, with a fillable template you can print and post in your home today.

Key Takeaways

A written plan beats a mental plan. When adrenaline is pumping and aftershocks are rolling, people don't think clearly. A printed, posted plan eliminates guesswork.
Every household member needs to know 3 things: the meeting points, the out-of-area contact, and how to shut off utilities.
Communication after an earthquake is unreliable. Phone networks overload within minutes. Your plan needs at least 3 backup communication methods.
Your plan must be practiced. An untested plan is a wish list. FEMA recommends practicing at least twice per year.
Include your documents. Replacing lost identification, insurance policies, and medical records after a disaster can take months. A "document kit" takes 30 minutes to assemble.
Update your plan annually — or whenever your household changes (new baby, new phone number, new medication, someone moves in or out).

Why You Need a Written Plan

During the 1994 Northridge earthquake in Los Angeles, phone systems were overwhelmed within 2 minutes. Families who hadn't pre-arranged meeting points spent hours — in some cases days — trying to locate each other. Many people drove through dangerous, debris-filled streets searching for family members who were already safe somewhere else.

A written earthquake emergency plan solves three problems:

Coordination: Everyone knows where to go and who to contact without needing to communicate in real time.
Decision-making under stress: Checklists and pre-made decisions reduce cognitive load when you're scared and disoriented.
Continuity: If one family member is incapacitated, others can execute the plan.

Step 1: Identify Your Household Members and Their Needs

Start by listing everyone who lives in your home, along with any special requirements that will affect your plan.

Household Assessment

For each person, document:

Full name and date of birth
Medical conditions and medications — anyone who requires daily medication, uses medical equipment (oxygen, CPAP), or has mobility limitations
Allergies — food, drug, and environmental
Primary language — if any household member has limited English, ensure critical plan elements are translated
School or workplace location — where each person typically is during weekday hours
Pets — species, breed, medications, veterinarian contact (see Earthquake Preparedness for Pets for detailed pet planning)

Special Needs Planning

Certain household members require additional planning:

Infants and toddlers: Formula, diapers, and comfort items in your emergency kit; plan for child care if parents can't reach home
Elderly family members: Medication supply, mobility aids, hearing aids with extra batteries
People with disabilities: Backup power for medical equipment, accessible evacuation routes, communication aids
Non-English speakers: Translated plan documents, bilingual emergency contact

Step 2: Establish Meeting Points

You need two pre-designated meeting points:

Primary Meeting Point (Near Home)

This is where your family gathers immediately after an earthquake if you're all at home or nearby.

Choose a location that is:

Outside your home but on your property or immediately adjacent (front yard, end of driveway, specific neighbor's yard)
Away from buildings, power lines, and trees
Easily identifiable — not "somewhere in the park" but "the northwest corner of the park by the drinking fountain"

Secondary Meeting Point (Away from Neighborhood)

If your neighborhood is evacuated or inaccessible, you need a backup location further away.

Choose a location that is:

1–5 miles from your home, in a different direction than your primary meeting point
A well-known, permanent landmark — a library, school, community center, place of worship
Accessible by multiple routes (in case roads are blocked)

Write both locations with specific addresses and landmarks, not vague descriptions.

Step 3: Set Up Your Communication Tree

After a major earthquake, local phone circuits overload almost immediately. Long-distance calls often go through when local calls don't — this is why FEMA recommends designating an out-of-area contact.

Communication Priority System

Priority	Method	Why It Works	Limitations
1	Text messages (SMS)	Use less bandwidth than calls; may get through when voice fails	May be delayed during overload
2	Out-of-area contact person	Long-distance circuits are less congested	Requires everyone to know and call the same person
3	Social media check-in	Facebook Safety Check, Google People Finder	Requires internet access
4	Voice calls	Familiar, easy	Local circuits overload fastest; avoid unless critical
5	Landline (if available)	Can work when cell towers are down	Rare in most homes now
6	Physical message at meeting point	Works without any technology	Requires someone to physically go there

Designating an Out-of-Area Contact

Choose a friend or family member who lives at least 100 miles away — far enough that they're unlikely to be affected by the same earthquake. This person serves as a central communication hub:

After the earthquake, every family member calls or texts the out-of-area contact to report their status and location.
The out-of-area contact relays information between family members who can't reach each other directly.

Your out-of-area contact needs to know:

Names and phone numbers of all household members
Your meeting point locations
Any special medical or accessibility needs in your household
Your plan and what role they play in it

Confirm their willingness and give them a copy of your plan.

Communication Rules for Your Household

Establish these rules in advance:

Try text first, call second. Text messages are more likely to go through on congested networks.
Keep calls short. If you get through, share your location and status in under 30 seconds, then hang up to free the line.
Check in with the out-of-area contact within 1 hour if possible.
If you can't reach anyone, go to the primary meeting point. Leave a written message with your status, time, and next destination if you need to leave before others arrive.
Don't assume the worst. Congested networks cause most communication failures, not injuries.

Step 4: Learn Utility Shutoffs

Every adult and responsible teenager in your household should know how to shut off gas, electricity, and water.

Gas Shutoff

This is the single most important utility skill in earthquake country.

Gas leaks cause fires and explosions after earthquakes. If you smell gas (rotten-egg odor), hear hissing, or see damaged gas lines, shut off the gas immediately.

Location: The shutoff valve is typically on the gas meter, outside your home, where the gas line enters the building.
Tool: You need a 12-inch adjustable wrench or a dedicated gas shutoff wrench (available at hardware stores for $10–$15).
How: Turn the valve 1/4 turn so the handle is perpendicular (crosswise) to the pipe. This shuts off the gas.
Important: Once you shut off the gas, do not turn it back on yourself. Only the gas company should restore gas service — they need to check for leaks and relight pilot lights safely.

Keep a wrench strapped to the gas meter or in a known, accessible location nearby.

Water Shutoff

Shutting off water prevents contaminated water from entering your home if water mains break.

Location: The main shutoff is usually near the water meter, often near the street or sidewalk, or where the water line enters your home.
How: Turn the valve clockwise (righty-tighty) to close.

Electrical Shutoff

If you see sparks, frayed wires, or smell burning, shut off the main breaker.

Location: Your electrical panel (breaker box), usually in the garage, basement, or utility room.
How: Flip the main breaker switch to the "OFF" position.
Caution: If you're standing in water, do NOT touch the electrical panel. Call 911.

Shutoff Location Card

Fill in and post near your utility panels:

Utility	Shutoff Location	Tool Needed	Who Knows How
Gas	_________________	12" wrench / gas wrench	_________________
Water	_________________	Valve handle / wrench	_________________
Electricity	_________________	None (breaker switch)	_________________

Step 5: Assemble Your Document Kit

After a disaster, you may need to prove your identity, access insurance, fill prescriptions, or apply for assistance. Replacing lost documents can take weeks or months. A pre-assembled document kit prevents this.

Essential Documents to Copy

Make photocopies or digital scans of all the following. Store one set in your emergency kit (in a waterproof bag) and one set with your out-of-area contact or in a secure cloud storage service.

Document Category	Specific Items
Identification	Driver's licenses, passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, green cards/visas
Financial	Bank account numbers, credit card numbers (and customer service phone numbers), mortgage/lease documents
Insurance	Homeowner's/renter's insurance policy, auto insurance, health insurance cards, earthquake insurance policy
Medical	Prescription list with dosages, doctor contact information, immunization records, medical device information, health insurance cards
Legal	Wills, powers of attorney, custody documents, deeds/titles
Household	Utility account numbers and customer service numbers, home inventory (photos or video of possessions), vehicle registration and title
Emergency contacts	Out-of-area contact info, doctors, veterinarian, insurance agents, employer HR

Digital Backup Options

Encrypted USB drive in your emergency kit
Secure cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) — password-protected
Email to yourself — send scans to an email account you can access from any device

The Ready.gov Financial Preparedness page provides additional guidance on protecting financial records.

Step 6: Create Your Emergency Contact Card

Every household member should carry a wallet-sized emergency contact card. Children should have one in their backpack. The card should include:

Emergency Contact Card Template

EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Name: _______________________________
Medical conditions: ___________________
Medications: _________________________
Allergies: ___________________________

OUT-OF-AREA CONTACT:
Name: _______________________________
Phone: ______________________________

MEETING POINT 1 (Near Home):
_____________________________________

MEETING POINT 2 (Away):
_____________________________________

ICE Contacts:
1. ______________ Ph: _______________
2. ______________ Ph: _______________

Doctor: _____________ Ph: ____________
Vet: ________________ Ph: ____________
Insurance: ___________ Policy #: ______

Laminate these cards or use a waterproof plastic sleeve. Program "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) contacts into each family member's phone — first responders know to look for this.

Step 7: Plan for Specific Scenarios

Your plan should address where each family member is during different times of day.

Scenario Planning Table

Scenario	Adults at Work	Kids at School	At Home Together	One Parent Home
Immediate action	Drop, Cover, Hold On	Follow school protocol	Drop, Cover, Hold On	Drop, Cover, Hold On
After shaking	Check in with out-of-area contact	Stay at school until picked up	Meet at primary meeting point	Secure home, leash pets
Communication	Text family, then call out-of-area contact	School will contact parents through emergency notification system	Confirm all members accounted for	Text out-of-area contact
If evacuation needed	Head to secondary meeting point	Schools hold students until a listed guardian picks them up	Grab go-bags, head to meeting point	Grab go-bags, head to meeting point

Know Your Children's School Plan

Contact your children's school and confirm:

Their earthquake/disaster response protocol
How they notify parents after an emergency
Their student release procedures (who is authorized to pick up your child)
Whether they shelter in place or evacuate, and to where

Keep the school's emergency contact number in your plan and in your phone.

Workplace Considerations

Know your workplace's evacuation plan and rally point
Keep a small emergency kit at your desk: walking shoes, water, snack, flashlight, dust mask, phone charger
Identify the fastest route from work to your secondary meeting point
If you commute by public transit, know an alternate route home on foot — bridges and tunnels may close

Step 8: Practice and Update Your Plan

An unpracticed plan is unreliable. FEMA recommends conducting earthquake drills at least twice per year.

Practice Schedule

Activity	Frequency	Duration	Who Participates
Drop, Cover, Hold On drill	Every 6 months	5 minutes	Entire household
Walk to primary meeting point	Annually	15 minutes	Entire household
Practice utility shutoffs	Annually	15 minutes	All adults and teens
Review and update plan	Annually (or after any household change)	30 minutes	All adults
Test communication tree	Annually	15 minutes	Entire household + out-of-area contact
Check/rotate emergency kit supplies	Every 6 months	30 minutes	One responsible adult
Great ShakeOut participation	Third Thursday of October, annually	1 minute	Entire household

The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills occur every October and provide an excellent reminder to practice. Over 60 million people worldwide participate annually.

Plan Update Triggers

Update your plan whenever:

Someone moves into or out of your household
Phone numbers or addresses change
Medical conditions or medications change
Children change schools
You change your out-of-area contact
You move to a new home
You update your emergency kit

Fillable Earthquake Emergency Plan Template

Print this template, fill it in, and post copies in your kitchen, near each exit, and in your emergency kit. Give a copy to your out-of-area contact.

HOUSEHOLD EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY PLAN

Date Created: ______________ Last Updated: ______________

HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS

Name	Date of Birth	Phone Number	Medical Needs/Medications	Usual Location (Weekday)

MEETING POINTS

	Location	Address	Landmark/Details
Primary (Near Home)
Secondary (Away)

OUT-OF-AREA CONTACT

	Name	Phone	Email	Address
Primary
Backup

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Contact	Name	Phone Number
Local Police (non-emergency)
Fire Department (non-emergency)
Hospital/Urgent Care
Family Doctor
Veterinarian
Homeowner's Insurance		Policy #:
Earthquake Insurance		Policy #:
Gas Company		Account #:
Electric Company		Account #:
Water Company		Account #:
Poison Control		1-800-222-1222
Employer (Adult 1)
Employer (Adult 2)
Children's School

UTILITY SHUTOFFS

Utility	Location of Shutoff	Tool Location	Trained Household Members
Gas
Water
Electricity

EVACUATION ROUTES

Route	From	To
Route 1	Home	Primary meeting point
Route 2	Home	Secondary meeting point
Route 3	Work (Adult 1)	Secondary meeting point

PET INFORMATION

Pet Name	Species/Breed	Microchip #	Medications	Vet Phone

DOCUMENT KIT LOCATION

Physical copies stored at: ______________
Digital backup stored at: ______________
Copy given to: ______________

PRACTICE LOG

Date	Activity	Participants	Notes/Issues

Putting It All Together

Creating your earthquake emergency plan is a weekend project. Here's a realistic timeline:

Task	Time Required
Fill out the household information and template	30 minutes
Choose meeting points and walk the routes	45 minutes
Set up the communication tree and contact your out-of-area person	20 minutes
Learn and label your utility shutoffs	30 minutes
Assemble your document kit	45 minutes
Print and distribute the plan	15 minutes
Total	About 3 hours

Three hours. That's the investment between chaos and coordination when the next earthquake hits.

Earthquake Preparedness for Families — comprehensive family preparedness beyond the emergency plan
What to Do During an Earthquake — the Drop, Cover, and Hold On technique and specific scenarios

Sources

FEMA. "Make A Plan." Ready.gov. https://www.ready.gov/plan
FEMA. "Financial Preparedness." Ready.gov. https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness
American Red Cross. "Make a Plan." https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html
Southern California Earthquake Center. "Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills." https://www.shakeout.org
FEMA. "National Household Survey — Preparedness in America." https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/goal/readiness
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. "My Plan." https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-the-director/operations/planning-preparedness/
USGS. "Earthquake Hazards Program." https://earthquake.usgs.gov
American Red Cross. "Earthquake Safety." https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/earthquake.html

❓Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I update my earthquake emergency plan?

Review your plan at least once per year. The easiest approach is to tie it to an existing event — the Great ShakeOut in October, New Year's Day, or the beginning of the school year. Update immediately whenever your household changes: new baby, someone moves out, new phone numbers, new medications, or a change in your out-of-area contact.

What if family members are in different locations when an earthquake hits?

This is exactly what the plan is designed for. Each person follows the Drop, Cover, Hold On protocol wherever they are, then checks in with the out-of-area contact as soon as possible. Children remain at school until a listed guardian picks them up. Adults who can't reach home proceed to the secondary meeting point. The out-of-area contact acts as a communication hub, relaying everyone's status.

Do I really need an out-of-area contact? Can't we just text each other?

Yes, you still need one. After a major earthquake, local cell towers may be damaged or overloaded. Local call attempts often fail while long-distance calls succeed because they route through different infrastructure. Your out-of-area contact provides a communication pathway that's more likely to work. It costs nothing and takes 10 minutes to set up.

What should I do if I rent an apartment and can't modify the gas shutoff?

You should still know where the gas shutoff is and how to use it — ask your landlord or building manager to show you. In most apartment buildings, there's a main shutoff for the building and individual shutoffs for each unit. Your landlord is responsible for maintaining these, but you're responsible for knowing how to use them in an emergency. If your building's shutoff is inaccessible or broken, report it to your landlord in writing and to your local gas utility.

How do I make an earthquake plan for someone who lives alone?

The plan structure is the same, but the communication network is even more important. Establish a buddy system with a neighbor who will check on you after an earthquake, and vice versa. Give your out-of-area contact your building manager's phone number. If you have mobility limitations or medical needs, register with your local fire department's "special needs" or "vulnerable population" registry — many jurisdictions maintain these for disaster response prioritization. Contact your local emergency management office to ask about available programs.

Should my earthquake plan include financial preparedness?

Yes. FEMA's [EXTERNAL: https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness | financial preparedness guidance] recommends keeping a small amount of cash (enough for 3–5 days of expenses) in your emergency kit — ATMs and card readers won't work during power outages. Document your insurance policies, know your deductibles, and understand what earthquake insurance covers versus standard homeowner's insurance. Standard homeowner's policies in the U.S. do not cover earthquake damage; earthquake insurance is a separate policy.

📚Sources (5)

FEMA — Make a Plan: ready.gov/plan
American Red Cross — Emergency Planning: redcross.org
Earthquake Country Alliance: earthquakecountry.org
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
Federal Communications Commission — Emergency Communications Plan

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