California Gets Ready to Shake it Out

More than 5.9 million Californians are already registered to join in the country's largest earthquake drill, an official announced today.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Oct. 15 as "The Great California ShakeOut Day," for Los Angeles County employees, volunteers and residents.

Representatives from the Governor's California Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, Southern California Earthquake Center, California Institute of Technology and Office of Emergency Management joined the board today.

The "Drop, Cover and Hold On" statewide drill will take place at 10:15 a.m. on the 15th. It is intended to ready residents, businesses and schools for a major earthquake and create awareness around the need for disaster preparedness.

To reduce injury and death during earthquakes, experts advise:

-- drop to the ground;

-- take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table; and

-- hold on to it until the shaking stops.

If no table or desk is nearby, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

Experts say:

-- do not run to another room just to get under a table;

-- do not get in a doorway; and

-- do not run outside.

Studies of injuries and deaths in earthquakes show that victims are more likely to be injured by falling or flying objects than to die in a collapsed building, according to the Southern California Earthquake Center.

Organizers have set of goal of 10 million participants for this year's drill.
 

Leave Comments