The Great ShakeOut, more than an earthquake drill

COLUMBUS, Ohio – On Oct. 19, 2017, Ohioans are encouraged to Drop, Cover and Hold On and discuss disaster plans.

Emergency management agencies are urging Ohioians to not, “Drop out of your preparedness mode just because September is almost over.” FEMA, the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) are encouraging citizens to stay ready and Get Ready to ShakeOut during the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut earthquake drill.

They aren’t only encouraging people to learn about what they should do when an earthquake occurs, they also want people to learn about the precautions they can take before to reduce the damage caused by earthquakes. This can mean using earthquake straps, securing any loose items like vases with tape, creating a disaster plan, and knowing where to go should an earthquake happen.

“Ohio doesn’t experience earthquakes on a large scale, but so far this year, we’ve had five that ranged between 2.1 and 3.8 magnitude,” said Ohio EMA Executive Director Sima Merick. “ShakeOut is more than a one-minute earthquake drill. ShakeOut is intended to get people talking and planning for earthquakes and other potential hazards and disasters such as floods, fires or tornadoes.”

What do you do during the ShakeOut drill? Practice the safest response to an earthquake:

• DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if it’s nearby. If you have mobility issues, either lock the wheels of your wheelchair or stay seated, and bend over.
• COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall, away from windows.
• HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If you are under a table or desk for shelter, hold onto it with one hand and be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.

Planning to participate? Individuals, schools, businesses and organizations can easily register online at www.shakeout.org/centralus/. Earthquake preparedness information and resources are also available on this site. If you were a registered participant last year, you need only to confirm or update your information.

Additional earthquake preparedness information is also available at www.ready.ohio.gov. Click on “Earthquakes” in the green menu bar.

To date, more than 2 million people have registered to participate in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut.