Published: Apr 19, 2016 | 09:00 AM

April is California Earthquake Preparedness Month – Enroll in CodeRED

Irvine Ranch Water District reminds customers that California is earthquake country and April has been designated as California Earthquake Preparedness Month.

Why April? Because in the early morning hours of April 18, 1906, resident of San Francisco and beyond were shaken from their beds by what has been estimated to be an 8.3 earthquake. Several aftershocks and fires followed, leaving a wake of devastation.

Recent earthquakes serve to remind us that Today, California is still vulnerable to the effects of a massive earthquake. IRWD suggests enrollment in the CodeRED Emergency Alert System in order to receive updated information should any emergency, including earthquakes, occur.

Signing up for CodeRED is as easy as logging onto the IRWD website and click on Emergency and CodeRED in the Customer Care bar on the left side of the home page.

In the meantime, customers should be aware that the first 72 hours following an earthquake are critical, so you should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least that long. A supply of stored water is the most important survival items. Several gallons of stored water per person can last two weeks.

For more information on how to prepare for an emergency, please check our website.