Quakes Jog O.C. Residents to Make Ready for Big One

After being jolted out of bed twice Sunday by earthquakes and by almost daily aftershocks, many jittery Orange County residents are preparing for what some fear could be the Big One.

Stores around the county selling earthquake supplies have reported a crush of people stocking up on blankets, water and food.

The local chapter of the American Red Cross has sold out its stock of 60 earthquake kits and has feverishly handed out its safety brochures in the wake of the Landers and Big Bear earthquakes.

“We are all out of nearly everything,” said Judy Iannaccone, public relations director at the Red Cross office in Santa Ana. “People must really be alarmed.”

The Red Cross has a backlog of 200 orders for the earthquake kits and hopes to be restocked by next week. The kits contain flashlights, long-burning candles, ponchos, blankets, stoves, bottled water and other survival supplies. The kits, for either home or car, cost between $65 and $125 each.

Since Sunday’s temblors, which severed roadways, split homes and injured scores, seismologists have been laying odds on the likelihood that the Big One looms. Residents say they are not sure what to make of all this rumbling.

“What can you really do?” asked Larry Krueger, a resident of Santa Ana. “If an earthquake demolishes your home, you are not going to go back inside in search of two flashlights.”

Nevertheless, Krueger said, he has kept emergency rations, flashlights and other supplies in the kitchen of his two-story house. After Sunday, he and several neighbors have resolved to strap down water heaters and keep enough supplies on hand.

“This is the first time we have really had this constant shaking from aftershocks,” said Krueger, who was shopping at a hardware store Wednesday afternoon. “It has been a little scarier than all of the others. And with all the aftershocks, it is like they are poking you in the side, letting you know they are there.”

Matt Stemen, a general services clerk for the Orange County chapter of the Red Cross, has been selling the survival kits and answering questions from people each day this week.

“I think people are getting the message through that they have to be prepared,” Stemen said.

At a hardware store in Rancho Santa Margarita, assistant store manager Jim Norris said emergency supplies have been placed in prominent positions in the store.

“We knew that people would come in looking for this stuff,” Norris said.

Officials at the Emergency Management Division of the Orange County Fire Department have also been receiving a constant flow of telephone calls this week from residents seeking earthquake preparedness advice.

“The biggest issue is food and water,” said division manager Fausto Reyes. “You also have to be sure that you have all the potential medications you would need.”

Reyes also advises strapping down water heaters and putting latches on cupboards.

A brochure on earthquake preparedness tips is available through Reyes’ office at (714) 744-0579.