Earthquake Preparedness Home Inventory: Pacific Northwest & Central US Guide

Earthquakes don’t warn you. Unlike hurricanes with days of advance notice or tornadoes with sirens, earthquakes strike without warning—and they can strike regions many people don’t consider earthquake zones.

While California gets the attention, the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon) sits on the Cascadia Subduction Zone capable of magnitude 9+ events. The Central United States has the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which produced some of the largest earthquakes in American history.

If you live in these regions, documentation and preparation aren’t just good ideas—they’re essential to financial recovery.

Understanding Your Earthquake Risk

Pacific Northwest

The Cascadia Subduction Zone stretches 700 miles from Northern California to British Columbia:

• Last major event: 1700 (magnitude 9.0)
• Average return period: 200-500 years
• Current concern: Over 300 years since last major event
• Potential impact: Simultaneous earthquake, tsunami, and landslides

Seattle, Portland, and surrounding areas also face risks from shallow crustal faults that can cause significant damage.

Central United States (New Madrid Zone)

The New Madrid Seismic Zone spans parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois:

• 1811-1812 sequence: Three magnitude 7.5-7.9 earthquakes
• These quakes: Rang church bells in Boston, changed the course of the Mississippi River
• Risk today: USGS estimates 25-40% chance of magnitude 6.0+ in next 50 years

Critical difference: Unlike the West Coast, Central US buildings are largely not built to earthquake codes. A moderate earthquake would cause disproportionate damage.

Other At-Risk Areas

• Utah: Wasatch Fault runs through Salt Lake City
• South Carolina: 1886 Charleston earthquake killed 60 people
• Hawaii: Volcanic and seismic activity ongoing

Why Earthquake Documentation Is Different

Standard Insurance Doesn’t Cover Earthquakes

Critical: Your homeowner’s policy almost certainly does NOT cover earthquake damage.

Earthquake coverage requires a separate policy or rider, which means:

• Separate deductible (often 10-20% of coverage)
• Separate limits
• Separate documentation requirements

Example: On a $400,000 home with 15% earthquake deductible, you pay the first $60,000 of damage before insurance kicks in.

Documentation Supports Your Claim

With high deductibles and separate policies, every dollar matters:

• Prove what you owned — Many items are destroyed or buried
• Prove pre-earthquake condition — Was that crack there before?
• Support value claims — Higher documentation = higher recovery
• Speed claim processing — Thousands of claims after major earthquake

What to Document: Earthquake Edition

Standard Home Inventory

Every room, every closet:

• Photograph walls from multiple angles
• Capture inside cabinets and drawers
• Include basement and garage
• Document all storage areas

High-value items with detail:

• Serial numbers on electronics
• Appraisals for jewelry, art, collectibles
• Receipts for major purchases
• Close-up photos of brand labels

Earthquake-Specific Documentation

Structural Condition (CRITICAL)

Before an earthquake, document your home’s current structural condition:

• Foundation (any existing cracks, their size and location)
• Interior walls (note any existing cracks)
• Ceilings (document current condition)
• Chimneys (photograph from multiple angles)
• Retaining walls (especially in hilly areas)

Why this matters: Insurers may claim damage was pre-existing. Dated photos prove otherwise.

Seismic Retrofitting and Improvements

If you’ve made earthquake-resistant improvements, document them:

• Foundation bolting
• Cripple wall bracing
• Water heater strapping
• Chimney reinforcement
• Soft-story retrofits
• Any seismic upgrades

Keep all receipts and permits. These prove your home’s improved condition and may qualify for insurance discounts.

Secured Items

Document how you’ve secured items that could fall:

• Bookcases anchored to walls
• Water heater strapped
• Large furniture secured
• TVs and monitors mounted or secured
• China cabinet contents secured
• Tall shelving units anchored

Items at Risk

Earthquakes damage specific categories heavily:

• China, glassware, and ceramics (high breakage rate)
• Electronics (can fall and be destroyed)
• Art and framed items (fall from walls)
• Aquariums and terrariums
• Collectibles and memorabilia
• Wine collections

Document these in detail—they’re often forgotten in claims but represent significant value.

Before-and-After Documentation

Create baseline photos of:

• All four exterior walls
• Each room’s walls and ceiling
• Foundation (exterior and interior basement walls)
• Chimney (all sides)
• Driveway and walkways
• Retaining walls

Label these “Pre-Earthquake Condition” with dates. After an earthquake, take matching photos to clearly show damage.

Securing Your Home Against Earthquake Damage

Documentation matters, but so does reducing damage in the first place.

Structural Considerations

Foundation:

• Homes built before 1960 may not be bolted to foundation
• Cripple walls (short walls in crawlspace) are vulnerable
• Professional retrofit costs $3,000-$10,000 but prevents catastrophic damage

Water Heater:

• Must be strapped in California (required by law)
• Should be strapped everywhere in seismic zones
• Can cause fire if gas line breaks
• Simple DIY with $20 strap kit

Chimney:

• Unreinforced masonry chimneys commonly fall
• Consider reinforcement or replacement with metal flue

Securing Contents

Furniture and appliances:

• Anchor bookcases, china cabinets, and tall furniture to wall studs
• Use earthquake straps or furniture anchors
• Secure top-heavy items
• Place heavy items on lower shelves

Electronics:

• Use museum putty or earthquake straps for TVs
• Secure desktop computers
• Store laptops in padded bags when not in use

Breakables:

• Use museum putty for displayed items
• Install guards on cabinet shelves
• Consider moving valuable collections to secure storage

Hanging items:

• Use closed hooks for pictures and mirrors
• Secure heavy mirrors and artwork to wall studs
• Avoid hanging heavy items over beds

Document all securing measures — Photos of strapped water heaters, anchored furniture, and secured items prove your preparation.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Kit Essentials

Water and Food:

• Water (1 gallon per person per day, minimum 7 days)
• Non-perishable food (7-day supply)
• Manual can opener
• Camping stove and fuel (use outdoors only)

Note: After major earthquakes, utilities may be out for weeks. Plan for extended self-sufficiency.

Safety and First Aid:

• Comprehensive first aid kit
• Prescription medications (7-day minimum)
• Flashlights with extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Whistle
• Fire extinguisher
• Crowbar (for freeing trapped people)

Communication:

• Cell phone with charger
• Portable power bank
• Out-of-area emergency contact (local lines may be down)
• Written list of emergency numbers

Tools and Supplies:

• Work gloves
• Dust masks
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Wrench for gas shutoff
• Basic tools
• Cash (ATMs won’t work)

Know Your Shutoffs

Practice locating and operating:

• Gas shutoff (attach wrench nearby)
• Water shutoff
• Electrical panel

When to shut off gas: Only if you smell gas or hear hissing. Don’t shut off “just in case”—you’ll need a professional to restore service.

Emergency Plan

Create and practice:

• Meeting location if separated
• Out-of-area contact person
• Routes out of your area (multiple options)
• Plan for pets
• Plan for family members with special needs

Cloud Backup Is Essential

Physical documentation may not survive an earthquake:

• Papers burn in post-earthquake fires
• Hard drives are destroyed in collapses
• Even “fireproof” safes can fail in extreme conditions

Cloud backup means:

• Accessible from anywhere
• Survives total home loss
• Updated automatically
• Shareable with insurance quickly

Use a dedicated home inventory app like Dib that:

• Stores photos and documents securely
• Backs up automatically to the cloud
• Accessible from any device
• Creates insurance-ready reports

Insurance Considerations

Getting Earthquake Coverage

California: California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is the primary provider Other states: Available as rider to homeowner’s policy or separate policy

Key factors:

• Deductible (typically 10-20% of dwelling coverage)
• Coverage limits (dwelling, contents, loss of use)
• Exclusions (read carefully)

What Earthquake Insurance Covers

Typically covered:

• Structural damage to dwelling
• Personal property damage
• Additional living expenses if home is uninhabitable
• Debris removal

Typically NOT covered:

• Land damage (sinkholes, landslides, liquefaction)
• Vehicles (covered under auto comprehensive)
• Outside items (fences, pools, landscaping)
• Pre-existing damage

Documentation for Claims

Your earthquake policy requires proof:

• Photos showing damage
• Photos showing pre-earthquake condition
• Inventory of damaged items
• Proof of value
• Receipts for emergency repairs

The high deductibles make documentation even more critical. You need to prove every dollar of damage to maximize recovery.

Region-Specific Considerations

Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon)

Unique risks:

• Cascadia Subduction Zone (magnitude 9+ potential)
• Tsunami risk in coastal areas
• Liquefaction risk in river valleys and fill areas
• Landslide risk in hilly areas

Documentation priorities:

• Tsunami evacuation routes (if coastal)
• Foundation type (slab vs. raised)
• Soil type if known (liquefaction risk)
• Hillside position (landslide risk)

Resources:

• Washington Emergency Management Division
• Oregon Office of Emergency Management
• Pacific Northwest Seismic Network

Central United States (New Madrid Zone)

Unique risks:

• Buildings not designed for earthquakes
• Soil amplification effects
• Older construction more vulnerable
• Less public awareness

Documentation priorities:

• Building age and construction type
• Brick vs. frame construction
• Chimney type (brick chimneys very vulnerable)
• Foundation condition

Resources:

• CUSEC (Central US Earthquake Consortium)
• State emergency management agencies
• USGS earthquake hazards program

Utah (Wasatch Front)

Unique risks:

• Active fault runs through major population centers
• Soft soils near Great Salt Lake
• Unreinforced masonry common in older areas

Resources:

• Utah Seismic Safety Commission
• University of Utah Seismograph Stations

Frequently Asked Questions

Does homeowner’s insurance cover earthquakes?

No. Standard homeowner’s insurance excludes earthquake damage. You need a separate earthquake policy or rider. This is true nationwide, not just in California.

Is earthquake insurance worth it?

Consider:

• Your risk level (check USGS hazard maps)
• Your home’s value and construction type
• Whether you could recover financially without insurance
• The deductible (10-20% means you’re self-insuring for smaller events)

Many experts recommend earthquake insurance for high-risk areas, especially for homeowners who couldn’t afford to rebuild without it.

What’s the difference between earthquake coverage in California vs. other states?

California has the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), a state-managed insurance pool. Other states rely on private insurers for earthquake coverage. Coverage terms, deductibles, and availability vary by state and insurer.

How do I document “pre-existing” condition vs. earthquake damage?

Take comprehensive baseline photos with dates:

• All walls, ceilings, and foundation
• Any existing cracks (with measurements)
• Current condition of chimney
• Exterior of home from all angles

After an earthquake, take matching photos immediately. The comparison proves what damage is new.

Should I stay in my house after an earthquake?

Evacuate immediately if:

• Obvious structural damage
• You smell gas
• Building is not level
• Large cracks in walls or foundation

If damage appears minor, be cautious. Aftershocks can cause additional damage. Have a professional inspect before assuming it’s safe.

Start Protecting Yourself Today

Earthquake preparedness is about action before the shaking starts.

Today (30 minutes):

1. Download Dib
2. Video walkthrough of your home (narrate as you go)
3. Photograph 10 most valuable items
4. Verify cloud backup is working

This week (2-3 hours):

1. Complete room-by-room inventory
2. Document current structural condition (foundation, walls, chimney)
3. Photograph securing measures (strapped water heater, anchored furniture)
4. Take “before” photos for comparison

This month:

1. Review earthquake insurance options
2. Assemble or update emergency kit
3. Practice gas/water shutoffs
4. Secure tall furniture and valuable items
5. Create family emergency plan

Annually:

1. Update inventory with new purchases
2. Review insurance coverage
3. Rotate emergency supplies
4. Practice emergency plan

You can’t predict when an earthquake will strike. But you can be prepared when it does. Start documenting today.

---

Related: California Wildfire Home Inventory | Tornado Season Home Inventory | Emergency Preparedness Guide