Earthquake protocol

The ground is shaking. You have seconds, not minutes. This page tells you exactly what to do, step by step.

DROP. COVER. HOLD ON.

These three actions are your immediate response to any earthquake. Do not run outside. Do not stand in a doorway. Get down, take cover under something sturdy, and hold on until the shaking stops.

NOW: During the earthquake NOW

At home

  • DROP to your hands and knees
  • COVER under a sturdy table or desk. Protect your head and neck with your arms
  • HOLD ON to the table leg until the shaking stops
  • Stay away from windows, mirrors, tall furniture, and hanging objects
  • If in bed, stay there. Cover your head with a pillow
  • Do NOT run outside during the shaking

Outdoors

  • Move away from buildings, power lines, trees, and signs
  • Find an open space and drop down
  • Protect your head and neck with your arms
  • Stay in the open until the shaking stops completely
  • Watch for falling debris, broken glass, and downed wires

In a car

  • Pull over safely. Do NOT stop under a bridge, overpass, or near buildings
  • Stay inside the car with your seatbelt fastened
  • Turn on your hazard lights
  • Wait until the shaking stops before driving again
  • Watch for road damage, fallen power lines, and collapsed overpasses

At the beach or coast

  • After the shaking stops, go IMMEDIATELY to high ground
  • Aim for at least 30 metres above sea level or 2 km inland
  • A strong earthquake near the coast means tsunami risk
  • Do NOT wait for an official warning. Move now
  • Stay at high ground for at least 2 hours or until authorities say it is safe
  • More information: tsunami guide

First 5 minutes 5 MIN

The shaking has stopped. Take a deep breath. Now act methodically, step by step.

Check for injuries

  • Check if anyone around you is injured
  • Provide basic first aid if you know how (first aid guide)
  • Do not move anyone with serious spinal or neck injuries
  • Call 112 if there are serious injuries

Smell gas?

  • Shut off the gas valve immediately
  • Open all windows
  • LEAVE the building
  • Do NOT use light switches, lighters or matches
  • Call 112 once you are outside
  • More information: gas leak guide

Visible structural damage?

  • Large cracks in walls, sagging ceiling, jammed doors
  • Evacuate the building immediately
  • Use the stairs, never the lift
  • Small fires: extinguish only if safe. If spreading, evacuate
  • More information: evacuation guide

Near the coast and strong earthquake?

  • TSUNAMI: head to high ground without waiting
  • Do not return to the coast for at least 2 hours, even if it seems calm
  • More information: tsunami guide

Family reunion 30 MIN

All together at home

  • Check everyone for injuries
  • Inspect the structure: cracks, gas smell, water leaks
  • Decide: stay or evacuate
  • Grab your emergency bag if you have one (emergency bag guide)
  • No bag? Take water, documents, medication, phone, and charger

Separated from family

  • Do NOT phone immediately. Networks will be overloaded
  • Send a text message instead. Texts use less bandwidth and get through faster
  • Go to your pre-agreed meeting point (family plan)
  • Use alternative communication methods (emergency communication guide)

Children at school

  • Schools have their own emergency protocol. Your children are being looked after
  • Do NOT go to the school immediately. You may block emergency access
  • Contact the school by text message
  • Wait for official instructions on when and where to collect your children
  • More information: preparing children guide

Vulnerable relatives

  • Contact elderly or disabled relatives as soon as possible
  • If you cannot reach them, ask a neighbour to check in person
  • Ensure they have medication and any mobility aids they need
  • More information: vulnerable people guide

Next hours 1-24H

Stay informed

  • Radio: Antena 1 (95.7 FM in Lisbon / 720 AM national coverage)
  • Follow ANEPC and IPMA official channels for updates
  • Be wary of rumours and unconfirmed information

Expect aftershocks

  • Aftershocks are normal and can continue for days or weeks
  • Always repeat Drop, Cover, Hold On with each aftershock
  • Aftershocks can cause additional damage to already weakened buildings

No electricity

Important actions

  • Check on your neighbours, especially the elderly and those living alone (neighbourhood resilience)
  • Secure your important documents
  • Do NOT use lifts
  • Do NOT enter damaged buildings
  • Save phone battery: turn on aeroplane mode between uses

Practical survival tips KNOW

Communicating without a mobile

  • Portable AM/FM radio: Antena 1 on 95.7 FM (Lisbon) or 720 AM (national coverage). Keep spare batteries in your kit
  • PMR446 walkie-talkies: licence-free, 1 to 3 km range in urban areas
  • Whistle: 3 short blasts = call for help. Audible up to 1.6 km. Uses far less energy than shouting
  • Text instead of calling: texts use less bandwidth and get through when calls fail
  • Update your voicemail with your situation and location
  • Arrange an out-of-area contact (100+ km away) to act as an intermediary

Minimum pocket kit

  • Whistle on your keyring: the lightest and cheapest survival item there is
  • Mini LED torch: fits in a pocket, lasts hours on a single battery
  • Laminated card: with emergency contacts, blood type and relevant medical information
  • N95 mask: dust from older buildings may contain asbestos and silica
  • Charged power bank: always keep at least one charged
  • Cash in small notes and coins: ATMs and card machines may not work for days

Shoes: the number one item

  • Broken glass is the most common injury after an earthquake. Windows, mirrors, crockery and light bulbs shatter from the shaking
  • Keep sturdy shoes and thick socks in a bag by your bed, tied to the bed frame
  • Add a head torch to the same bag so your hands stay free
  • Put shoes on children before getting them out of bed
  • Never walk barefoot after an earthquake, even indoors

Immediate emergency water

  • Water heater tank: holds 40 to 80 litres of drinkable water. Turn off the supply and use the drain tap at the base
  • Fill the bathtub: as soon as possible, fill the bath for hygiene water (not for drinking)
  • Purify water: boil for 1 minute or add 2 drops of unscented bleach per litre (wait 30 minutes)
  • Mains water may be contaminated from broken pipes. Do not drink without purifying

Checking damage safely

  • Walk around the outside of the building before entering. Look for cracks, leaning or damaged pillars
  • Marble test: place a marble on the floor. If it rolls, the floor may have shifted
  • Photograph all damage before cleaning or repairing. This is essential for insurance claims
  • Gas valve quarter turn: shut off the gas only if you smell gas or hear a leak. Turning it back on requires a technician

Often forgotten tips

  • Keys in the car: if you evacuate, leave the keys in the car so emergency services can move it
  • If trapped: tap on walls or pipes (3 taps = help). Do not shout, as it wastes energy and you may inhale dust
  • Generator or barbecue: never indoors. Carbon monoxide (CO) is lethal and invisible
  • Teach children their full name, address and parents' phone number by heart
  • Aeroplane mode between uses: your phone battery could be your lifeline for days

Emergency numbers

Keep these numbers written on paper

  • 112 - European emergency number (police, fire, ambulance)
  • 808 24 24 24 - SNS 24 (health line, medical guidance)
  • 800 246 246 - ANEPC / Civil Protection

Full list of emergency contacts: emergency contacts page

Prepare for the next one

This earthquake is a reminder. Prepare now.

If you were not ready for this earthquake, use it as motivation. The next one could be stronger. Start today:

  • Create a family plan with meeting points and emergency contacts (family plan)
  • Pack an emergency bag with 72 hours of supplies (emergency bag guide)
  • Complete the preparedness checklist to identify what you still need (checklist)
  • Learn about earthquakes in Portugal and how to prepare your home (earthquake guide)