SACRAMEN TO – April is Earthquake Preparedness Month — a time when families, businesses, and workers across the state are encouraged to prepare for the next earthquake. Recent earthquake early warning alerts demonstrate that state investments are paying off and keeping Californians safe.

Governor Gavin Newsom on Apr 10 marked Earthquake Preparedness Month by highlighting California’s national leadership in seismic safety and early warning, underscoring that the state is moving forward even as the federal government retreats from long-term investments in earthquake resilience.

California’s Earthquake Warning California program, launched for the public under Governor Newsom’s leadership in 2019, remains the first statewide earthquake early warning system in the nation and now sends alerts to millions of people ahead of shaking. Alerts are delivered through the MyShake app, Wireless Emergency Alerts, and Android smartphones, often providing valuable seconds for people and critical systems to brace, drop, cover, and hold on.

The underlying technology has also been integrated into automated safety actions that can include slowing trains, opening fire station doors, recalling elevators, and protecting water, gas, and other critical systems before the strongest shaking arrives.