Earthquake Safety Info for the Beaufort and Hilton Head Island Area

Earthquakes in Beaufort and Hilton Head Island??? You may not have known this, but the coastal region is on a fault. Yes, there have been earthquakes in the area. Usually small non-remarkable tremors... seldom felt, but they do occur. This one DID occur...

Charleston, SC is 64 miles from Beaufort
On August 31, 1886, at 9:30 on a quiet Tuesday night,
one of the largest earthquakes in US history
to strike Eastern North America occurred in Charleston, SC.
After one minute, the violent shaking stopped. People were stunned as to what had just happened. In that brief minute, over 80 people were dead, mostly from falling chimneys and debris. Fires began to break out from broken gas lines. Most of Charleston was damaged. The shock wave was felt as far north as Kentucky and Virginia.
Even the Bahamas felt the quake. Can't happen again???

Earthquake Rules
1)	Realize an earthquake can happen here.
2)	Get out of buildings and areas debris can fall. Glass is a danger as well as any tall object.
3)	Get off a bridge quickly.
4)	Often the beginning of a quake will start as a gentle vibration.
5)	Gas smells following a quake should be promptly reported.
6)	The most dangerous structures are brick and stone. Houses on stilts are also very dangerous as are old historic tabby homes and churches.
7)	Do not go back into your home until it has been inspected as safe.
8)	Stay off of bridges until they have been inspected as safe.
9)	There will most likely be fallen power lines. Be very cautious around power lines and power poles. This includes large trees.
10)	Now is a good time to help your neighbors as there will be much panic and confusion. You must keep a cool head. If you are able to, help local authorities with whatever they need. Emergency crews will welcome your help. Do not add to the problem.
11)	If driving, do not trust traffic signals. Stop at all intersections. Watch for debris on the road, particularly fallen trees and power lines.
12)	Do not trust the water, use bottled water until the water system has been verified safe by authorities.
13)	Remember there are often aftershocks and can cause buildings still standing to fall. No building is safe until inspected for foundation damage.
14)	Banks near waterways will most likely be very unstable. Do not trust them.
15)	If trapped in a building, go to a middle closet away from any vertical structure such as a fireplace, glass and heavy tall furniture.