The USGS shows that a 4.4 earthquake hit our region around 2:40 am on Thursday, January 4, 2018. Despite the epicenter being in Berkeley, the quick shaking and jolt from this earthquake woke up people in all parts of the Bay Area. Let this moment be a reminder to you and your family to get prepared if you are not already. Here is our quick list of tips:

• Get critical updates to your phone from Union City Police on Nixle. You can sign up by texting your zip code to 888-777 or go to the Nixle website.
• Follow us on all of our social platforms to get up-to-date information about a local emergency. We will use these platforms (mainly Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, and our email newsletter) to share updates on shelters, emergency response, resources, road closures, and more critical information to help you and your family navigate an emergency.
• Visit Ready.gov and Alameda County's website. Both websites include important steps you can take to keep your family ready to respond when a local emergency occurs.
• Get in-person training from Union City CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), which offers free classes and exercises so that you can help your family and neighborhood respond in a disaster.