Earl Massey will never forget the massive Anchorage, Alaskan earthquake that shattered his childhood.
“I was 12 years old at the time,” recalls Massey, who said that the 1964 earthquake–registered at 9.2—was the second deadliest recorded earthquake in Alaskan history.
“We were living in a second floor apartment,” recalls Massey, who said that his father was enlisted in the United States Air Force. “Turmoil wracked the city. Glass and items were flying everywhere,” Massey recalls. “Huge crevices appeared in the ground and thousands of buildings turned and twisted in other directions. The roads were destroyed to the point that you couldn’t drive.”
Massey said there was no power, no roads, and no water. “No one was able to evacuate,” Massey continued. “The airport had been destroyed. The water pipes were broken, so we had to boil snow for drinking water.”
Massey recalls that his mother had left the apartment that afternoon to do some shopping. With massive destruction rocking the city, Massey said his mother was missing for one-and-a-half days. Miraculously, through the acrid smoke, broken glass and rubble, Massey said she was able to find her way home.
“We thought she had died,” recalls Massey. “My father and I were overjoyed when she returned.”
Massey, a former field deputy for Congresswoman Karen Bass who dispenses earthquake emergency kits, never forgot the devastating Alaskan earthquake that left 139 dead.
“It had a profound effect on me, and I realized that residents in South Los Angeles are not taking the threat of earthquakes seriously because they don’t have knowledge of what’s going to happen,” said Massey, who added that scientists have predicted that a major earthquake in California is long overdue.
Massey said he has committed himself to educating the South Los Angeles community about earthquake preparedness.
“I want to talk to churches, politicians, block clubs and other groups about how to survive an earthquake,” said Massey, who gives a slideshow presentation of deadly earthquakes from around the world and also delivers crucial advice about how to survive if the “big one” hits.
“If an earthquake occurs, a person should hide under a table or roll over to the side of their bed until the earthquake stops,” said Massey, who added that aftershocks will be inevitable.
“There will probably be no power, no water, and no roads,” Massey pointed out. “Buildings will collapse and phone service will be nonexistent. There will be a great loss of life after an earthquake due to people not being prepared. First responders such as police and fire will be flooded with emergencies—so it is imperative that people prepare an evacuation kit containing items to last them for several days to two weeks.”
Massey said that an evacuation kit should be kept where it is easily accessible. “Items in the kit should contain a flashlight, batteries, water, emergency food in sealed pouches, medical supplies, a mask to cover the mouth and nose, bandages, gauze, a whistle, disinfectant wipes and glow sticks. If you take medication, you should have a month’s supply of medication available.”
Massey also advised that each person or family should devise an emergency plan. “Select a spot to leave messages and a designated place to meet loved ones,” he said.
He also recommended purchasing sturdy shoes or hiking boots that cover the ankles in case the person has to travel over broken concrete and glass and advised they should be kept near the bed.
“The fact is that an earthquake is inevitable and we need to be prepared,” said Dr. Mark Perrault, who has taken Massey’s earthquake preparedness class. “I’ve prepared an emergency kit that includes antibiotics, blood sugar and blood pressure medication and I’m also planning to retrofit my house.”
“Massey’s presentation made me more cognizant of the fact that I have to be prepared,” said Jene Creary. “People need to stock up on their medications. I also plan to purchase an indoor/outdoor toilet, something I hadn’t thought about before.”
Christine Manning, who also attended the presentation, was amazed that there were so many earthquake faults covering California. “It made me more aware that an earthquake is a real possibility,” she said.
For more information, access www.disasterawarenessproject.com or to schedule a presentation, call (323) 674-1372.
