On Thursday, October 16, at 10:16 a.m., millions of people will participate in the largest international earthquake drill ever—ShakeOut!
More than 9.5 million Californians—including almost a half-million in Alameda County alone—have already registered to participate in this year’s drill, according to The Great California ShakeOut [1] website.
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It’s so important that an AC Alert [3] was issued to encourage people to join.
“Earthquakes can happen anywhere you work, live, or travel, which is why everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves should an earthquake occur,” the alert stated.
What we do to prepare now, before the next big earthquake, will determine how well we can survive and recover. ShakeOut will occur in houses, workplaces, schools, and public spaces.
The drill is easy. There are just three simple steps: Drop, Cover, Hold On.
[4]- Drop: Drop to the ground, if possible. If you are in a wheelchair, lock yourself in place.
- Cover: Cover yourself with your hands, a cushion, or sturdy object like a table. If nothing is available, brace against an interior wall. Make sure there isn’t anything that could drop on you like glass, wall art, or ceiling fixtures.
- Hold On: Hold on to whatever you are covering yourself with until the shaking stops.
Register at ShakeOut.org/register [5] to be counted among the millions who are participating. at work, school, or home. Those who have installed the MyShake [6] app on their phones will receive an alert on Thursday morning to participate.