Note: This is a repost from 07/24/2014

It started with a dream…

I finish my last wound treatment and hurrying down the hallway. It’s the end of my shift and I still haven’t completed all of my documentations. The oncoming nurse patiently waiting for me to brief her of my end-of-shift report. It feels like a disaster!! /endscene

I woke up and it’s 3:30 am in my dark room and I instantly knew something was very wrong. I could hear the creaking of our entire house as it angrily shook for what seemed like a very long time. Pretty sure that was the scariest I’ve ever woken up to. When I was in the moment, I was at nature’s mercy. There’s simply no way to know if things will calm down or get worse.

Please please pleaseeee stopppp!

I froze on the spot and just kept hoping that the shaking would cease. When it did, I immediately went downstairs to check on everyone. My oldest brother called from the gym and told me everyone freaked out and left for home.

Luckily, we’re all ok in the household. We were just shaken and the earthquake didn’t do any damage. Apart from broken vases, plates, and such… our relatives in the affected area are also alright.

The epicenter was just in between Napa and American Canyon with the strength of 6.0 magnitude and there’s a high chance that as strong as 5.0 aftershock will follow this week.

More Here

The take home message for me is always…. ALWAYS be prepared when emergency strikes. We can not predict Mother Nature especially earthquakes and how much power it wants to unleash at any given time. We’re very lucky that it wasn’t a stronger magnitude that hit us.. but it could happen. And it could happen very soon. Keep in mind 1906 earthquake. SF and the whole Bay Area is long overdue. We don’t know when the plates will decide to break the move so it’s better to have something prepared. Stock-up on emergency food, water, medicine, first aid, batteries, gasoline, flashlights, tents, and extra blankets and clothes. Also, talk about emergency plans with your family and where to meet-up just in-case all satellite communications break down.

Here’s a disaster preparedness plan by Red Cross:

Be Red Cross Ready! m4240190_Be_Red_Cross_Ready

Earthquake Preparedness! m4240216_Earthquake

After a few days, I went to Napa to take some pictures of the damage.