LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2021 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region commemorates 27 years since the Northridge earthquake urging residents of Southern California to take the necessary steps to prepare their households for the next Big One.

SEE: Red Cross Disaster Relief Response to the Northridge Earthquake 27 Years Ago (Flickr)

The 6.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the San Fernando Valley on Jan. 17, 1994 remains one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. The Red Cross mobilized 15,000 workers, served 1.7 million meals, provided shelter for nearly 22,000 people and provided mental health counseling to more than 40,000 affected Californians.

Tarzana resident Craig Renetzky was among the hundreds of Red Cross volunteers who responded when the quake hit.

“The Northridge earthquake shattered so many lives; it's a day I will never forget,” said Renetzky, one of the on-call disaster officers at that time. “What stands out most in my memory was my relief that I had planned ahead and was properly prepared for such a disaster. It’s one of the reasons I was able to help others. Everyone must be prepared to survive the next big Southern California earthquake.”

In the 27 years since Northridge, the Red Cross and its partners have been working hard to prepare Southern California for the next catastrophic disaster. The Red Cross PrepareSoCal campaign strives to engage community leaders in the most vulnerable neighborhoods across Southern California to bring preparedness education to every household.

Following a major disaster, families should be equipped with enough food, water and emergency supplies to last for two weeks, until outside help can arrive. The Red Cross recommends five basic steps:

1. Get a kit – Build an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you if you must evacuate. Include items such as water, non-perishable food, a flashlight and extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, first aid kit and medications.
2. Make a plan – Talk with members of your household about what to do during emergencies. Plan what to do in case everyone is separated and choose two places to meet—one right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency such as a fire, and another outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.
3. Be informed – Know what to do before, during and after a wildfire, earthquake and home fire.
4. Learn CPR – In an emergency, you will be the first person on the scene. Make sure at least one member of your household is fully trained to administer CPR and First Aid.
5. Download the Red Cross Emergency App – This FREE all-inclusive app lets you monitor more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts, provides expert advice on how to prepare and respond to disasters and includes a map to help you locate open Red Cross shelters. Available for download in your app store of choice or by texting: "GETEMERGENCY" to 90999.

DISASTERS DURING A PANDEMIC

Preparing for emergencies is a little different during a pandemic but the basic action steps remain the same for everyone. Disasters can force people to leave their homes, even in areas under stay-at-home mandates. By having an emergency plan, your family can react quickly if a disaster strikes.

• Some emergency kit supplies may be hard to get due to the pandemic, and availability may worsen in a disaster, right now is the best time to start gathering supplies.
• Ask friends or relatives outside your area if you can stay with them if needed.
• Check and see if they have any COVID-19 symptoms or have people in their home at higher risk for serious illness. If they do, make other arrangements.
• Check with hotels, motels and campgrounds to see if they are open and if pets are allowed.
• Due to the pandemic, stay current on advice and restrictions from your state and local public health authorities as it may affect your actions, available resources and shelter facilities.
• Additional resources for preparing during the COVID-19 pandemic are available at redcross.org/coronavirus.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.