Great ShakeOut drill is next week

According to federal, state, and local emergency management officials, the drop, cover, and hold protocol protects lives during earthquakes.

Indiana leads the Central USA region with more than 675,000 registrants.

That series of earthquakes in 1811-12 lasted for several months, and shaking was felt as far away as the East Coast.

Instead, experts say Drop, Cover and Hold On is the safest response. COVER your head and neck with your arms, and seek shelter by getting under a sturdy desk or table if nearby.

Finally, hold on to the table until the shaking stops. “The ShakeOut drill is a ideal opportunity to prepare an emergency recovery plan with family members, coworkers and schoolmates”.

More than 1.5 million people in Delaware, George, South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. have signed up for the drill.

Schools, businesses, government agencies, families and others can register to participate in the drill at www.shakeout.org/centralus. Registration is free and includes tips on how to plan the drill and communicate with others about natural disaster preparedness.

Practicing what to do ahead of time is critical to safety in the event of an quake, and the ShakeOut educates participants on how to get prepared.

America’s PrepareAthon! was established to provide a comprehensive campaign to build and sustain national preparedness as directed by Presidential Policy Directive-8.