About 18 seconds before an earthquake hits San Jose, California, MyShake app sent an alert to 95,000 devices owned by residents of the city warning them to "duck, cover and hold on," according to CNBC.
MyShake App Signups Reach Over Two Million
A 5.1 earthquake hit the Bay Area in California on Tuesday. While no damage has been reported, the quake served as a reminder to the residents to be ready in emergency situations.
In connection with the quake, thanks to MyShake app thousands of California residents received warning 18 seconds before the earthquake was felt.
Following Tuesday's warning from MyShake app, signups for the app have increased, and as of writing, it reached over two million, according to the data page of the app.
While, MyShake app can be downloaded by anyone, the system is only fully operational in California, Oregon and Washington.
The app will send you alert if a 3.5 magnitude earthquake or above is detected. What's remarkable with the app is it will send alert even if your phone is on "Do Not Disturb" setting.
To use the MyShake app, here's a step-by-step process:
- Go to Apple's App Store, or to Google Play store to download the App.
- Once you downloaded it, open the app.
- You will be asked if you want to allow it to track your location and send you notifications and critical alerts. Choose "Allow" to receive notifications and alerts. However, even if you don't allow MyShake to track your location, you will still receive emergency alerts.
- Choose your location, whether you live in California, Oregon or Washington.
- You will find in the app the recent earthquakes, report earthquakes you experience and learn safety techniques. Toggle through the options on the bottom menu of the app.
- When an earthquake is about to hit, you will receive a loud notification on your phone. It will be accompanied by a message advising you to "drop, cover and hold on."
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California Government Alerts Residents of Earthquake
Relative to the earthquake, a new statewide warning system sent an alert to 2.2 million California residents in the San Francisco Bay Area about 19 seconds before the quake hit the city. The warning was sent via people's smartphone.
Since the state government had negotiated with Google, the vast majority of residents or 2.1 million of those who received the alert are Android phone users. The alert tech is integrated into the operating system of the phone.
"The state and federal govt continue to work closely with technology partners and we remain hopeful of the technology being included across all operating systems in the near future, including iOS," Office of Emergency Services (OES) spokesperson Brian Ferguson said, as cited by CNET.
If the system detected that an earthquake of 4.5 magnitude or greater will hit the area, OES will send the alerts giving people enough time to prepare. The alerts sent are based on readings from ShakeAlert.
"California continues to harness the power of science and technology to help keep our communities safe. When it comes to earthquakes, seconds can save lives." said Governor Gavin Newsom.
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