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A Whole Lotta Shakeouts Goin' On

 

 

 

# 5887

 


Eleven days from now (on October 20th) California, Nevada, Guam, and British Columbia will hold annual earthquake preparedness drills which are promoted by the USGS and Shakeout.org.

 

The Great British Columbia ShakeOut, October 20, 2011 
The Great California ShakeOut, October 20, 2011
The Great Nevada ShakeOut, October 20, 2011
The Great Guam ShakeOut, October 20, 2011

 

These websites ask residents to register, and to take part in this annual earthquake exercise.  There you’ll find plenty of suggestions on how to participate – at home, at work, or at school.

 

A number of radio & TV stations across the state will play audio and/or video earthquake simulations at precisely 10:20 am to add authenticity to the drill.

 

The Great California Shakeout is the oldest, and largest of these drills, and this year more than 8 million Californians have registered as participants.

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As far as what to do  DURING an earthquake, I’ll let the folks at ShakeOut.org explain (and no, it isn’t stand under a doorway):

 

Drop, Cover, and Hold On!

Federal, state, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes. The ShakeOut is our opportunity to practice how to protect ourselves during earthquakes. This page explains what to do-- and what not to do.

(Continue . . . )

 

The USGS map below shows that most of the United State’s population lives in a seismically active region. While California has the reputation for being earthquake prone, the Midwest and the Eastern Seaboard are not immune.

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One of the most vulnerable areas to earthquakes (and tsunamis) in North America is the Pacific Northwest, where just over 311 years ago an earthquake and tsunami – likely on par with this year’s disastrous quake in Japan - struck the coastline.

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You’ll find a greater description of this event, along with videos and simulations showing what a similar event today would produce, in my essay Just A Matter Of Time.

 

 

Earthquakes, like Hurricanes, Tornados, Floods, and yes . . . even pandemics . . .  are hazards everyone should be aware of, and prepared to deal with.

 

Everyone should have a disaster plan.  Everyone should have a good first aid kit, a `bug-out bag’, and sufficient emergency supplies to last a bare minimum of 72 hours.

 

For more on  disaster preparedness, I would invite you to visit:

 

When 72 Hours Isn’t Enough

The L. A. County Emergency Survival Guide

An Appropriate Level Of Preparedness

 

And  reminder that after the first of the year, two other regions will be holding shakeout exercises as well.

 

The Great Central U.S. Shakeout On February 7, 2012
The Great Utah ShakeOut, April 17, 2012
 

If you live in any of these regions, I would encourage you to participate in, and support, these annual disaster drills.

 

 

Note: I’ll be on the road again today, but plan to be back at my desk, and on my regular blogging schedule, tomorrow.

Related Post:

Preparedness
Earthquake

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