Sheltering in Place vs. Evacuation Centers After an Earthquake — Decision Criteria and Preparations for Renters

What Should Renters Do After a Major Earthquake?

Immediately after a major earthquake, many people face the decision: "Should I go to an evacuation center right away, or stay at home?" Recent disaster prevention guidelines have shifted toward "to avoid overcrowding evacuation centers, sheltering in place is recommended if the building is safe." This article explains the decision criteria for sheltering in place versus using evacuation centers that renters should know, along with necessary preparations.

Why Sheltering in Place is Recommended

Issues with Evacuation Centers

When a major earthquake occurs, many people gather at evacuation centers (school gymnasiums, community halls, etc.). The issues are as follows:

• •No privacy: Sleeping in one large room or behind partitions causes high stress
• •Risk of infectious disease: Crowded spaces make it easy for influenza, COVID-19, and other illnesses to spread
• •Shortage of supplies: When the number of evacuees exceeds expectations, food, water, and blankets run out
• •Extended stays become even more difficult: Beyond a few days, health deterioration and stress-related illnesses increase

If your home is safe, sheltering in place helps maintain your quality of life better.

Steps to Determine if You Can Shelter in Place

Step 1: Check the Building's Exterior

Before entering your unit immediately after an earthquake, check the building's exterior. If you observe any of the following, avoid sheltering in place:

• •Large cracks or leaning in pillars or walls
• •The entire building is clearly tilted
• •Large sections of concrete from the outer wall have fallen
• •Signs of ground subsidence or liquefaction (ground collapse or uplift)

Step 2: Check the Interior's Safety

If the building exterior is fine, check inside.

Checklist Items

• •Smell of gas (suspected gas leak) → Open windows for ventilation and contact the gas company. Never use any ignition source
• •Water leaks from the water supply or broken pipes
• •Large cracks in ceiling or walls, or collapse
• •Blocked passageways from toppled heavy furniture

Step 3: Check the Building's Seismic Standard

The seismic resistance of a rental property can be roughly determined by its construction year.

For buildings built under the old seismic standard, wait for a "preliminary damage assessment" by professionals before making a decision.

What to Do When Utilities Are Cut Off

When Water Supply Stops

Stored water target: 3 liters per person per day × 3–7 days

• •Store drinking water in plastic bottles (500ml × 18–42 bottles = 3–7 days' supply)
• •Fill the bathtub with water (do this immediately after earthquake alerts, before the water supply stops)
• •Check information about water distribution centers (opened by local governments) via radio or local government disaster prevention information

When Gas Stops

• •Keep portable gas burners and gas cartridges in reserve (maintain 3–5 cartridges)
• •If electricity is available, you can cook using an IH cooking heater
• •It may take several days to weeks for gas service to be restored

When Electricity Stops

• •Charge your smartphone with a large-capacity mobile battery (20,000mAh or larger recommended)
• •Hand-crank or solar-powered radio and flashlight
• •A refrigerator will maintain cold temperature for 2–4 hours even without power. Keep the door closed and wait.

Checklist of Supplies Needed for Sheltering in Place

For renters, aim for compact storage of supplies.

Water and Food (minimum 3 days, ideally 7 days)

• •[ ] Drinking water (3L per person per day)
• •[ ] Portable gas burner + gas cartridges (3–5)
• •[ ] Non-perishable food (retort-packaged meals, canned goods, dried noodles, freeze-dried food)
• •[ ] Disposable dishes and plastic wrap (to avoid washing dishes when water is short)

Hygiene and Medical

• •[ ] Portable toilet (for when water supply stops, 30–50 portable toilet bags)
• •[ ] Wet wipes and disinfectant
• •[ ] Regular medications and prescription drug backup
• •[ ] First aid kit (bandages, adhesive bandages, disinfectant)

Information and Power

• •[ ] Hand-crank radio (battery-powered or hand-crank rechargeable)
• •[ ] Large-capacity mobile battery
• •[ ] Flashlight or LED lantern (battery-powered)
• •[ ] Backup batteries

When to Consider Using an Evacuation Center

Consider using an evacuation center if any of the following apply:

• •The building has structural damage (professionals judge it as "dangerous" or "requires caution")
• •Utility restoration (water, electricity, gas) will take a long time
• •You live alone, have fallen ill, and it's difficult to continue living at home
• •You have infants, elderly, or people with disabilities, and it's difficult to manage home safety
• •The building is isolated and outside assistance cannot reach it

Evacuation centers are positioned as "places for people whose lives are in danger." Sheltering in place as much as possible reduces overall burden on the system.

Earthquake Preparedness for Renters — What to Do Before and After Moving In

Before Moving In

• •Confirm construction year and seismic standards with the real estate agent
• •Check hazard maps for liquefaction, tsunami, and landslide risks
• •Prioritize buildings from 1981 onward (built to the new seismic standard)

After Moving In

• •Install furniture anti-tipping measures (tension poles, furniture fixing hardware)
• •For heavy furniture such as refrigerators, bookshelves, and dressers, confirm with your property management company before wall-fixing
• •Don't place heavy furniture in bedrooms (reduces crush risk while sleeping)

Summary

The decision between sheltering in place or using an evacuation center after a major earthquake depends on "building safety" and "utility status." Even for renters, if the building meets the new seismic standard or newer, sheltering in place is a realistic option if supplies are sufficient. By stockpiling water, food, and a portable toilet for at least 3 days—ideally 7 days—in advance, you expand your shelter-in-place options and help prevent overcrowding at evacuation centers.