I would just say "The dog ate my list of excuses!"

One of the college kids I sponsor is graduating and moving to San Francisco to work. A lady there advised her she should keep a pair of running shoes at the office in case of an earthquake.

That seems like a very strange suggestion to me: I'd assume one is more likely to crossing glass-strewn streets and sidewalks and that something tougher than "running shoes" is indicated.

Beyond the obvious snacks, bottled water, FAK and prescriptions, the other small earthquake-specific things I can think of are a whisk broom, (Kevlar?) gloves for handling sharp objects, hard-soled shoes for walking in debris-strewn areas, and a bag to carry it all in if she has to walk a long distance to a passable road for evac. Anything else?