What should I do during an earthquake?

A person holds a cell phone showing an emergency alert. Southwestern British Columbia is recovering from the shock of Friday's earthquake, which has triggered some concern about the consistency and timing of alerts sent to residents. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian Young

While there were no reports of serious damage or injuries after a magnitude 4.7 earthquake rattled B.C.’s South Coast Friday, the seismic event serves as an important reminder that a destructive quake could happen at any time.

“We are not in a seismic free zone, we are in a very active seismic region, so people need to be aware and prepare for this big major earthquake coming,” said Tony Yang, a professor of structural and earthquake engineering at the University of British Columbia.

He said it’s not a matter of if, but when a damaging earthquake will strike B.C.

There’s about a one-in-five chance of an earthquake big enough to cause damage in Vancouver within the next 50 years, according to the city. And experts say the chance of a megathrust quake in the Cascadia subduction zone—referred to as “the big one”—in the next 50 years is about 10 to 15 per cent, with the odds rising as time goes on.

Read more: When will the ‘Big One’ earthquake hit? Scientists weigh in

B.C. experiences offshore earthquakes all the time, thousands every year in fact, but they’re usually too small to feel. Friday’s earthquake, with its epicentre near Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast, was the first in at least a decade that struck on land and was felt by so many people, said Natural Resources Canda seismologist John Cassidy.

“(It’s a) good reminder of knowing what to do when the ground starts to shake,” he said.

What to do before an earthquake

There’s plenty that can be done to be in a better position in the event of a large earthquake before the shaking starts. That includes preparing your home by securing tall furniture such as bookcases and cabinets to the wall, and moving picture frames and mirrors away from beds and couches, advises the B.C. government’s earthquake preparedness page.

Another good idea is to have a pre-made plan in the case of an emergency.

“You could be on your own for several days while emergency responders work to save lives and manage the aftermath. It may be weeks before infrastructure, utilities and essential services are restored,” the website reads.

The plan should include a place to meet loved ones in case you’re separated, emergency contacts outside of the province, and assigning someone to pick up your children from school if you can’t. Knowing how to turn off your utilities is also key.

It’s recommended households have emergency supplies such as first aid on hand, as well as enough food and water to last for one or two weeks, three days at minimum, in case you need to shelter in place. Residents are also advised to have smaller grab-and-go bags ready for each family member in the event you need to leave.

Read more: Facing evacuations due to a forest fire or flood? Here’s what to pack in a grab-and-go bag

What to do during an earthquake

The moment you feel the ground begin to shake, prevailing advice from experts and officials is to drop, cover and hold on. That means getting on the ground immediately before the quake knocks you down first, says the Great B.C. Shakeout’s webpage.

Next, crawl underneath a sturdy desk or table and cover your head and neck with one arm and hold onto the furniture with the other.

If you’re not near a table or desk, the Great B.C. Shakeout recommends crawling to a corner of the room and cover your head and neck with both arms—and not to run to another room to find a table.

“It is extremely important for a person to move as little as possible to reach the place of safety they have identified because most injuries occur when people try to move more than a short distance during the shaking,” the page reads.

If you use a wheelchair, the organization says to lock your wheels and protect your head and neck with arms, a pillow or whatever is available. And if you’re in bed when the shaking starts, it advises to not get out and instead lie face down and cover your head with a pillow.

If an earthquake hits while outdoors, people are asked to move to an area clear of powerlines, trees and other hazards if safe to do so, and then drop, cover and hold on. Anyone who’s driving is told to pull over to a clear location, stop, and keep their seatbelts on until the shaking stops.

The organization warns against running outside during an earthquake due to falling debris. It also says the belief a doorway is the safest place of a home during an earthquake is outdated. “In modern houses and buildings, doorways are no safer, and they do not protect you from flying or falling objects. Get under a table instead,” it wrote.

What to do after an earthquake

When the shaking stops, stay under cover and count to 60 before getting up. When moving around, watch out for unstable objects and debris.

What happens next depends on how damaging the earthquake was.

Read more: What would happen if a large earthquake hit Vancouver? Here’s what a new report says

“Phone, gas, electric and water services may be disrupted following an earthquake. Roads could be blocked, stores may be closed, and gas stations might be out-of-service,” read’s the government’s preparedness page.

The City of Vancouver says that if your home is severely damaged, leave with your grab-and-go bags, and if your home is safe to stay in, shelter in place and use your emergency kit.