On Thursday, October 19, Oklahomans are encouraged to join more than 20 million people worldwide as they “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in an annual earthquake drill. The event, scheduled for 10:19 a.m. on Thursday, is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oklahoma Geological Survey and is part of the annual Great ShakeOut.
With more earthquakes occurring in the state in recent years, the ShakeOut is designed to increase awareness of earthquake safety and help Oklahomans be better prepared for any earthquakes that may occur in the future.
In Oklahoma, more than 81,000 people have signed up to participate in the drill, including 170 schools, government agencies, health facilities and other organizations.
During the ShakeOut, participants will drop to the ground, take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to the table for about 60 seconds until the exercise ends. Experts say this is the best way to protect yourself during an earthquake, since in the U.S. the primary threat for injury during an earthquake is falling debris and toppling objects, like bookcases and heavy electronics, rather than structural collapse.
“In this state, we recognize the importance of being prepared for all types of disasters, including earthquakes, which is why we are taking part in this exercise,” said OEM Director Albert Ashwood. “We applaud Oklahomans for joining us in this effort.”
Individuals, schools, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to participate in the ShakeOut exercise by registering online at www.shakeout.org/centralus. Participants may choose to participate on the official ShakeOut date or on another date as needed. Once registered, participants will receive information about how to plan their drill.
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