Preparing for the "what if" of a major earthquake is difficult enough. For one parent worried about a possible Los Angeles quake near the water, the situation got even more complicated because the children's other parent lives just steps away — and the natural instinct to regroup may be the wrong move.
Here's what to know
The situation described in a Reddit thread on r/preppers involved children moving between two homes in the same large residential complex, with the adults trying to figure out how everyone could quickly confirm the kids were safe after a major quake.
The original poster said the property sits in a high-risk earthquake area beside a channel connected to a marina, and that the complex itself is spread across multiple buildings, walkways, parking areas, and open space.
They said they already knew the usual emergency-planning guidance of naming one nearby meeting place and another elsewhere in the neighborhood. The problem, they explained, was that a serious earthquake might make parts of the complex unreachable. They were also unsure how tsunami danger should affect the plan, especially because, as they put it, "no one is leaving their kids behind."
Many of the replies urged the family not to waste time trying to reconnect before getting out of danger. "Whoever has the kids needs to evacuate with them," one commenter wrote, then added, "Leave FIRST, then find each other at your planned safe muster spots out of the hazard zone."
More background
Emergency plans can look straightforward on paper, but a large apartment complex, multiple caregivers, and uncertainty around roads or walkways can quickly turn a simple checklist into a logistical challenge.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Several commenters argued that people often picture evacuations as being more orderly than they really are. As one person warned, "Often times waiting for others isn't the best bet," adding that anyone who has coordinated a hurricane evacuation knows "there is always one.... or two... and they will slow you down like no one's business."
The original poster also noted that not every coastal earthquake scenario comes with a tsunami warning. Much of the discussion therefore centered on building redundancy into the plan — backup meeting spots, multiple possible routes, and a clear understanding of which adult is responsible for the children in the moment.
What can be done?
Another major suggestion was to find out whether the complex already has its own emergency assembly plan. After one commenter raised that possibility, the original poster replied, "This is a good idea, I hadn't considered this and will look into it." A separate commenter said a facilities manager "should" already have a plan and may also have disaster supplies available.
If building management cannot offer a useful answer, commenters pointed to outside local resources. One suggestion was to work through the fire marshal to connect with CERT or a similar organization for route-planning help. Another was to identify three possible routes to higher ground away from the shoreline, since it is impossible to know in advance which paths may be blocked or damaged.
Across the thread, the same principle kept resurfacing: the adult who is with the children should move them to safety. Commenters also suggested leaving a note, setting an out-of-hazard rendezvous point, and practicing the plan with the kids so that a communications breakdown causes less confusion.
Where can I learn more?
These stories cover wildfire evacuations, mudslide warnings, and hurricane beach safety.
• In Los Angeles, a daughter ignored wildfire evacuation orders after insurers dropped her parents' coverage.
• Across Los Angeles, officials warned the near-certain threat of mudslides was not over.
• At a storm-lashed beach, bystanders watched parents bring children to the beach during a hurricane.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
