# 5910
Tomorrow (October 20th) California, Nevada, Guam, and British Columbia will hold their yearly earthquake preparedness drill promoted by the USGS and Shakeout.org.
The Great British Columbia ShakeOut, October 20, 2011
The Great California ShakeOut, October 20, 2011
The Great Nevada ShakeOut, October 20, 2011
The Great Guam ShakeOut, October 20, 2011
Many radio & TV stations across these states will play audio and/or video earthquake simulations at precisely 10:20 am to add authenticity to the drill.
The Shakeout websites ask residents to register, and to take part in this annual earthquake exercise. You’ll find plenty of suggestions on how to participate – at home, at work, or at school.
The Great California Shakeout is the oldest, and largest of these drills, and this year more than 8.4 million Californians have registered as participants.
As far as what to do DURING an earthquake, I’ll let the folks at ShakeOut.org explain (and no, it isn’t stand under a doorway):
Drop, Cover, and Hold On!
Federal, state, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes. The ShakeOut is our opportunity to practice how to protect ourselves during earthquakes. This page explains what to do-- and what not to do.
The USGS map below shows that most of the United State’s population lives in a seismically active region. While California has the reputation for being earthquake prone, the Midwest and the Eastern Seaboard are not immune.
Earthquakes, like Hurricanes, Tornados, Floods, pandemics, and yes . . . even earthquakes . . . are hazards everyone should be aware of, and prepared to deal with.
Everyone needs an appropriate disaster plan, just as everyone should have a good first aid kit, a `bug-out bag’, and sufficient emergency supplies to last a bare minimum of 72 hours.
For more on disaster preparedness, I would invite you to visit Ready.gov or revisit these blogs:
The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide
An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness
And reminder that early next year, two other regions will be holding shakeout exercises as well.
The Great Central U.S. Shakeout On February 7, 2012
The Great Utah ShakeOut, April 17, 2012
If you live in any of these regions, I would encourage you to participate in, and support, these annual disaster drills.
