Thanks nybiker. That is helpful. Here is what FEMA has to say (very similar):

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_during.shtm

I noticed today that many people who evacuated buildings didn't go very far -- so they wouldn't have been safe at all from falling debris.

I understand why people would instinctively leave a building, especially in Manhattan where terrorism seems likelier than an earthquake.

But standing around in the middle of a lot of tall buildings doesn't seem very wise after an earthquake.