Daily News Editorial: Preparation for The Big One is vital for residents in earthquake-prone California

THE images of the damage caused by the deadly earthquake and tsunami in Japan on Friday were a frightening reminder of the earth's power.

Even in a country, such as Japan, that has put an extraordinary amount of time and money into earthquake preparations, a temblor of this magnitude will claim hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

The quake was the largest ever recorded in Japan, and it was the fifth strongest in the world, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The strength was such that waves triggered by the quake were capable of damaging harbors and coastal towns on the California coast.

Fortunately, Japan has the resources, infrastructure and economic capacity to rebuild. And the island nation was quickly supported by the U.S. government and countries of the United Nations.

Following America's long tradition of reaching out to neighbors in need, President Barack Obama pledged immediate assistance to the Japanese government, and indeed, the U.S. had an aircraft carrier off the coast of Japan ready for relief efforts within hours of the earthquake.

Likewise, the Los Angeles County Fire Department's specialized search and rescue team - which just returned from an earthquake rescue mission in New Zealand - was being deployed to Japan to help with rescue and recovery.

As we watch the recovery from half a world away, we can't help but be reminded that California is also a center of seismic activity, and we need to prepare

ourselves for The Big One that could come any day.

Take some time today to do the simple steps of preparation. Do you have a family earthquake plan - indicating how and where you would reunite with loved ones after a quake? Do you know the safest places in your home, away from windows or large furniture or shelves, to retreat to in a quake? Do you have reserves of nonperishable food and water?

The U.S. Geological Survey has a website that offers practical information on what to do before, during and after an earthquake at www.earthquake.usgs.gov/prepare.

A Los Angeles Daily News editorial. To read more editorials from the Daily News, go to www.dailynews.com/opinions.

Robin Tunney Kate Bosworth Lori Heuring Marley Shelton Rose Byrne