Earthquakes

Earthquake overview

During a major earthquake, you may experience a shaking that starts out to be gentle and within a second or two grows violent and knocks you off your feet. You may be jarred first by a violent jolt -- as though your building was hit by a truck. A second or two later you’ll feel the shaking and, as in the first example, you will find it very difficult (if not impossible) to move from one room to another.

Earthquake Safety

During the earthquake

If you are indoors:

Drop - Cover - Hold on

Drop to the floor under a sturdy desk or table, Cover your head and face with your arms, and … Hold on.

If suitable furniture is NOT nearby, sit on the floor against an interior wall and cover your head and face with your arms.
Stay clear of windows, bookcases, shelves, mirrors and fireplaces.
Do not use elevators!
If possible, extinguish any open flames or sources of ignition immediately.

If you are outside

Get into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls and power lines.
If driving, pull over to the side of the road, stop, and stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over.
Avoid overpasses, bridges, and power lines.
If the earthquake has been severe, do not attempt to cross damaged bridges, overpasses or damaged sections of road.

After the earthquake

Check for injuries, starting with yourself. Do not move seriously injured individuals unless they are in immediate danger. Help people who are trapped by furniture or other items that do not require heavy tools to move. Rescue and emergency medical crews may not be readily available.
Keep phone lines open. Do not use the telephone except for genuine emergency calls, such as a serious injury, fire or gas leak.
If you suspect or know that someone is trapped in the building call the IU Police Department at 911 from a campus phone or see below from a non-campus phone, or, if the phone lines are out, have one person go to the specific headquarters for IUPD see below. Have someone post a message at the front of the building noting the time, date, number of victims and their last known location in the building.
Check for gas and water leaks, broken electrical wiring, and broken sewage lines in your area. Check building for cracks and damage. If there is gas leaking, extinguish all sources of ignition and do not turn on or off any electrical switches in the area. Call Physical Plant (IU Bloomington) or Campus Facilities Services (IUPUI) or other facility offices for assistance immediately. If there is damage, report it to the campus facility office and IUPD at 911 from a campus phone, or see below from a non-campus phone. Attempt to block off damaged areas to keep people away from the hazard until additional help can arrive.
Do not touch downed power lines or damaged building equipment.
Check for hazardous materials spills and releases. If any are discovered, follow the procedures in this guide.
If the building is damaged, evacuate and attempt to secure the building against entry. Notify IUPD by calling 911 from a campus phone or see below from a non-campus phone and the campus facility office (see below) of the damage and evacuation. Do not reenter damaged buildings.
If you have to evacuate, post a message in clear view stating where you can be found. List reunion points so that others looking for you later can find you. If you have a university pager, radio or cellular phone, take them with you along with batteries and chargers if available. This may be your only method of communication for several hours.
Turn on a battery powered radio for damage reports and information. Check local news sources for campus information.
Do not use your vehicle unless there is an emergency. Keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles. Be prepared for aftershocks.
Aftershocks are usually smaller than the main quake but may be large enough to do additional damage to structures weakened during earthquakes.

Earthquake emergency campus contact information

IU Bloomington: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 812-855-4111
IUPD from a campus phone: 9-1-1
IUPD address: 1469 E. 17th Street
Physical Plant: 812-855-8728 or call IUPD (above)
IUPUI: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 317-274-7911
IUPD from a campus phone: 9-1-1
IUPD address: Ball Annex, 1232 Michigan Street, Indianapolis
Campus Facilities Services: 317-278-1900 or call IUPD (above)
Campus Status Radio: 1610 AM
IUPUC: Columbus Police from a non-campus phone: 9-1-1 or 812-379-1689
Columbus Police from a campus phone: 9-911
Campus Facilities for CC/RC: 812-348-7237
Campus Facilities for LC/AMCE: 812-314-8511
IU East: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 765-973-8429
IUPD from a campus phone: 8429
IUPD address: Whitewater Hall Room 131, 2325 Chester Blvd, Richmond
Physical Plant: 765-973-8423
IU Kokomo: IUPD from a non-campus phone (M-F, 8am-10:30pm): 765-455-9363
IUPD address: Kelly Center, Room 106
Kokomo Police from a non-campus phone: 9-1-1 or 765-459-5101
Kokomo Police from a campus phone: 9-911
Physical Facilities: 765-455-9273
IU Northwest: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 219-980-6501
IUPD from a campus phone: 6501
IUPD address: 3400 Broadway, Gary
Physical Plant: 219-980-6710
IU South Bend: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 574-520-4239
IUPD from a campus phone: 4239
IUPD address: 2002 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend
Facilities Management: 574-520-4386
IU Southeast: IUPD from a non-campus phone: 812-941-2400
IUPD from a campus phone: 2400
IUPD address: 4201 Grant Line Rd., New Albany
Facility Operations: 812-941-2330