[Geology2] Today is the Great Central US ShakeOut

 

Recent Disasters and their Impact on the Region
There have been almost non-stop thunderstorms, rain, flooding, high wind, and tornado events throughout the central and eastern United States over the past several weeks.  These disasters were not drills.  They are real and affect thousands of people, across the nation.  Some have lost homes and possessions, while others have lost their lives.  We want to offer our thoughts and prayers to all of those who have been affected by these events.  

We realize that some who intended to participate today are unable to do so now because their lives and communities have been disrupted.   For those who are still able to participate in the ShakeOut, please hold your drills as planned.   Let the tragic events this week serve as a reminder that disasters can, and do, happen when we least expect them, and that they can have devastating effects.  We need to take steps to be prepared for disasters, as individuals, as communities, and as a nation.  That is what the ShakeOut and other events like it are about.  To learn about steps you can take to become better prepared against all hazards, visit www.ready.gov

 

It's time to ShakeOut…
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is today, and more than 3 million people

 

throughout communities in the central United States are expected to practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:15a.m.*

This event has been more than two years in the making, and our success thus far is because of your help.  There are literally thousands of people who are working to better prepare this region against earthquakes, and it has been no small task.  Thank you for your participation and continued support.

(* While we encourage all others to participate today you may schedule your drill anytime within a week of this date if it is better for you or your organization. For example, Indiana held its ShakeOut drill last week due to school testing.)

Basic Instructions for your Drill
Here is how to have a basic Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill, and suggestions for what to do afterwards (many organizations are doing MUCH more than this):

• If you have downloaded the drill broadcast
   
  , begin playing it at 10:15 a.m., or you may find a radio or TV station
   
  that is playing the broadcast.
   
  
   
• At 10:15 a.m., practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On
   
  for at least 60 seconds (the length of the drill broadcast):
  • DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!)
  • Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table (or against a wall with your arms covering your head/neck), and
  • HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops (in this case, 60 seconds)
     
• After you practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On, talk with those around you about what might happen in a real earthquake, what you learned by practicing, and how you can reduce the risk of injury (at home, work, or school) by securing your space
   
  .
   
• After your drill, we invite you to share photos, videos, and stories
   
  .  The first 30 stories to be submitted will win a mini-emergency preparedness kit. 

Have You Seen These Drill Resources?

To help you hold your Shakeout drill, we have several resources available on the website, including:

• 60-second ShakeOut Drill Broadcast
   
  audio and video recordings are now available (including versions with earthquake sound effects).  Download
   
  the recordings (or view on YouTube
   
  ) to play over your PA system, closed-circuit television system, or on individual computers. 
• Simple instructions for how to participate
   
  are available for a variety of ShakeOut participant categories, and include custom preparedness information and suggestions for how you can share the ShakeOut with others.
• We have several different Drill Manuals
   
  and Earthquake Scenarios
   
  (new!) that will help you lead a ShakeOut drill.  Each manual has instructions for multiple levels of drills, from a very basic Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill to a more comprehensive exercise of your disaster plan.  The scenarios give you an idea of what kinds of things you might expect after a damaging earthquake occurs. 

 
Share the ShakeOut
It's not too late for people to join you in the ShakeOut…  Please forward this email to colleagues, friends, family, and others to make sure they are aware of the ShakeOut and know about the drill.  The ShakeOut is also on FaceBook

 

, Twitter

 

, and YouTube

 

!     If you are on Twitter, we encourage you to 'tweet' about your drill.  During your drill, use the "#ShakeOut

 

" hashtag in your posts to be listed with others.


Thank you for your participation in making this a historic event and for your commitment to earthquake safety!

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