Monday, October 10, 2016

Earthquake!

If you haven't heard, Oklahoma had a nice size earthquake September 3, 2016. Measuring 5.8 magnitude, it is the strongest in recorded Oklahoma history. I was enjoying the first day of my 3 day Labor Day weekend when at 7:04 am my bed began rocking (more than it has in years. Sorry - I couldn't resist) and I could hear dishes in the kitchen rattling. It took me a moment to realize it was an earthquake, but I lay there debating if I should get up. Ultimately it lasted for 15 seconds and I just enjoyed feeling the earth move as Mother Nature stretched her legs. The earthquake originated about 60 miles north of where I live, but the quake was felt in neighboring states as far away as Texas, Iowa, and Nebraska! Luckily my Tiny House rode out the earthquake with no damage. Nothing fell off shelves, nothing cracked in my structure, and the house stayed on her pillars without issue. Other houses in the state were not as fortunate showing foundation and structure damage.

I jokingly posted the picture of a crooked picture frame with the caption: I will rebuild. I thought it rather entertaining at the time.

But in all seriousness, those of us in states like Oklahoma and California must contend with the threat of earthquakes. So what can you do in your tiny house to make sure your home can ride out an earthquake? In my case I made sure my home was on a solid foundation of blocks, using more than necessary to give it a firm footing. My shelves hold things solidly and are angled back toward the wall so things slide backward instead of forward when subjected to vibration (I have wood floors and things vibrate when I walk across the room.) My furniture is solid and tall furniture is secured to the wall. Places where I sit and sleep having nothing that can fall on me during an earthquake. Other than that, I really don't have too much to worry about as I have no gas or water lines that could be damaged. Wind and ice storms are a bigger threat to my tiny home than earthquakes.

Do you live in an area with earthquakes? Do you have an earthquake plan?





1 comment:

  1. I'm glad everything worked out and your little sweet home was ok.

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