Earthquake a jolting reminder of the value of planning ahead

Did you feel it?

That was the big question Sunday as Southcentral Alaska residents swapped tales of being shaken from their beds by a powerful earthquake centered on the west side of Cook Inlet near Iliamna.

Luckily, the quake did little lasting damage in the Mat-Su, where about 5,000 MEA customers were without electricity for a few hours. Other than that, there were no reports of injuries or damage in the Valley.

However, a gas leak in Kenai led to a fire that burned four structures, demonstrating just one of many ways earthquakes can cause damage to life and property. Nobody was hurt in the fires, but they served as a stark reminder of just how quickly Mother Nature can turn dangerous.

Whenever natural disaster strikes — whether close to home or far away — it’s important to take a few minutes to reflect on the fragile nature of our modern existence. Most of us rely on electricity or natural gas for lights and heat, and underground pipes for water and sewer. If any of these systems are knocked offline — as can happen in an earthquake — the impact is felt almost immediately. Although not having lights in the middle of the night might not seem like a big deal, it’s no picnic to be without power for too long in the middle of the winter; in fact, it’s downright dangerous.

Sunday’s earthquake should serve as a not-too-subtle reminder of the importance of being prepared for emergencies. The recent snowstorm on the East Coast demonstrated just how quickly shelves can go bare when people perceive a crisis is at hand. Imagine how fast the shelves would empty during a disaster here in Alaska, where most of our food must be shipped up from the Lower 48.

When a disaster strikes, it’s already too late. Instead, people need to plan year-round for emergencies. This means keeping plenty of extra food and water on hand as well as informing family where to meet in a natural disaster. Every house should have an emergency preparedness kit containing basic safety items — things like flashlights, extra batteries, matches, can openers, first aid kit, etc. — as well as plenty of extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothes in case of extended loss of power.

It’s also important to discuss what to do in an emergency, including where to go and how to find loved ones. Telephones and handheld devices may not work in an emergency, which is why it’s crucial to come up with meeting places and contingency plans.

We were lucky this earthquake wasn’t “The Big One,” and that nobody was seriously hurt. But as anyone who lived through the 1964 Good Friday quake will attest, Sunday’s shaker wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been. We all should use this recent close call to spur us to action and plan now for the day when we aren’t as lucky.