In California, people are rushing to gather earthquake preparedness kits following the recent devastating earthquake in Venezuela. This surge in interest for disaster supplies is noticeable across the state.
Mina Arneo, co-founder of More Prepared, mentioned that their emergency backpack kits are selling quickly, as families and individuals clamour to obtain them.
Alex Chejada, who owns Redwood Valley Market in California, observed shelves disheveled after the earthquake.
Generally, these emergency kits come with essentials like sleeping bags, food, first aid supplies, water, and clothing.
“I think this surge is tied to not just what’s happening in Venezuela, but also the earthquakes we’ve seen in Japan and other regions. It’s certainly affecting how people feel right now,” Arneo noted.
Chris Reidel, who runs EchoSigma, reported a noticeable rise in sales of their emergency survival products. “There seems to be a connection to natural disasters, or events overseas, like with Iran. People are increasingly anxious about current global events, which drives them to prepare,” he explained.
Reidel pointed out that events worldwide often unsettle Californians, leading them to stockpile necessities like food and water. The recent earthquake in Venezuela has particularly spurred on this new demand.
The company’s top-selling item is its “Go Home Bag,” an emergency kit designed to last one to three days. This bag, priced at $289, contains various crucial items including a sleeping bag, food, a multifunction radio, and other essentials.
Echo-Sigma’s bag is equipped to support a person for three days during an emergency.
The 72-hour emergency survival kit designed for two people includes items like a red bucket, first aid kit, blanket, poncho, dust mask, gloves, and various survival necessities.
After the earthquake in Venezuela, rescue teams searched the ruins for survivors.
Echo-Sigma typically receives 50 to 100 orders monthly, with about 20% coming from Californians. “When a significant earthquake hits, such as the one in Venezuela, we notice sales spiking for roughly two weeks,” Reidel stated, anticipating a further 15-20% increase immediately following such disasters.
He also mentioned that customers are often more reactive, buying due to fear rather than proactive planning. “People tend to stock up when they’re scared rather than actually preparing ahead of time,” he mentioned.
SOS Survival Products, based in Van Nuys, California, has also reported an uptick in orders after recent earthquakes.
Jeff Edelstein, the owner, has been in the disaster preparedness arena for nearly 37 years. “Yes, we’re seeing increased demand,” he confirmed.
“Whenever a major event occurs, like the earthquake in Venezuela or elsewhere, we experience a surge of orders,” he added, recalling the magnitude 5.6 earthquake that shook Northern California recently, felt especially near Redwood Valley.
Edelstein noted that many of his clients tend to react rather than plan. Interest often rises for a week or two when people witness global disaster and hear about California’s preparedness recommendations. “People generally have short memories. They remember these tragic events for a while and then it fades. It was nearly six years ago that people experienced the Ridgecrest earthquake sequence, and many barely recall it now,” he said.
Some customers are acting out of fear, while others are finally addressing preparedness steps they have long considered.
