Local company says sales of emergency earthquake kits skyrocketed after New Yorker article

BURIEN, Wash. -- A local company is filling orders for emergency preparedness kits as fast as they can after a recent article spells out the possibility and dangers of a massive earthquake in Western Washington.

Jeffrey Guite, who founded American Preparedness, said in the past he would rarely get an order from a Washington resident. But recently he has filled hundreds of orders from people here.

"Here, just locally, we’re selling hundreds and we sold a number of thousands nationally," Guite said.



Guite thinks a recent article in The New Yorker magazine about the effects of a huge quake in the region struck a nerve with Washington residents.

The article, titled "The Really Big One," quoted FEMA’s regional director, Kenneth Murphy, as saying, “Our operating assumption is that everything west of Interstate 5 will be toast.”

Guite said everyone needs to have emergency kits for their home, office and cars in case of a major earthquake.

"What are you going to do if there’s an earthquake and cars are piled up for two or three days or more on the freeway," Guite questioned. "Are you going to go knock on a car window and ask them for their food and water?”

Guite's kits can be found on Amazon and Costco websites.

If you want to build your own emergency kit, visit http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit