4.5 earthquake in Southern Utah prompts reminders on earthquake safety

SALT LAKE CITY — A 4.5 earthquake shook southern Utah, about 19 miles southeast of Cedar City, Sunday night. Earthquake is our biggest risk for widespread disaster in Utah. 

Listen to the full interview with Wade Matthews here 👇

 

Almost 2,000 people reported feeling the light earthquake, but there were no reports of significant damage. 

Still, Wade Matthews with Be Ready Utah joined Dave and Dujanavic Monday to remind Utahns of important earthquake safety tips. 

Earthquakes are our biggest risk for widespread disaster in Utah, Matthews says, making it vital for us to understand what to do in case of an earthquake. 

The last major earthquake that Utahns felt was the Magna earthquake in 2020, which clocked in at 5.7. 

And while this 4.5 earthquake was considered small, it was definitely felt. 

The biggest reminder Matthews has for people is the number one protective action for earthquakes: drop, cover and hold on. 

“Treat every earthquake the same,” Matthews said. If we feel the ground shaking, either get underneath a desk, table or chair and keep cover overhead. The overhead cover will protect from falling objects.

Matthews says if you don’t have a piece of furniture, kneel on the floor against a wall that doesn’t have any glass overhead. 

“Stay there until the shaking stops,” Matthews said. 

Other earthquake precautions

“Don’t run out of a building, don’t run into a building,” Matthews said. 

If you’re driving, stay in the car and pull over. Try not to stay on a bridge or under an overpass, he said. 

Read more: Higher-magnitude earthquake is coming to Utah, warns expert