Great Central U.S. ShakeOut 4-28-2011

Vincent Pacchiana

Installation Emergency Manager

More than one million people in 10 states will “Drop, Cover and Hold On” while participating in the “Great Central U.S. ShakeOut” beginning at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, which is the largest earthquake drill organized in the region. Individuals can “Drop, Cover and Hold On” wherever they are – as if an earthquake were occurring – and stay in position for at least 60 seconds.

The “Great Central U.S. ShakeOut” is a drill designed to educate the public about how to prepare for – and protect themselves during a large earthquake. More than 1 million people in communities throughout the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee will participate in this event.

This “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill is important for people to act quickly in such an incident and something to practice often. People may only have seconds to protect themselves in an earthquake before strong shaking can knock a person down, or have something fall on them.

One of the most destructive phenomena of nature is an earthquake and its aftereffects. Although there is no guarantee of safety during an earthquake, identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning for one can save lives, significantly reduce injuries and property damage.

For Fair Use Discussion and Educational Purposes