Great Washington Shake-Out, Thursday, October 16, 10:16 a.m., Statewide
— by Lin McNulty, Managing Editor —
This is a only practice drill, a practice drill that could well save your life. The ShakeOut is a DRILL planned for October 16, 2014 (and the third Thursday of October each year). An earthquake is NOT predicted to occur, though because many areas of Washington are seismically active, it’s not impossible.
The main goal of the Great Washington ShakeOut is to get Washingtonians prepared for major earthquakes, so use this ShakeOut as an opportunity to learn what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.
The Great Washington ShakeOut is a day of special events featuring the largest earthquake drill ever, organized to inspire Washingtonians to get ready for big earthquakes, and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.
The ShakeOut Drill is scheduled for 10:16 a.m. on October 16, 2014. This means that wherever you are at that moment—at home, at work, at school, anywhere—you should Drop, Cover, and Hold On as if there were a major earthquake occurring at that very moment, and stay in this position for at least 60 seconds.
There will not be any freeway closures, power outages, or other simulated effects of the hypothetical earthquake, unless your local government or utility company specifically notifies you about something of this nature. The ShakeOut is not something you need to leave work to participate in—in fact, participating at work is encouraged! Businesses, organizations, schools, and government agencies can register and have their employees practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On or have a more extensive emergency drill.
Anyone in Washington can participate, from a single individual at their home to a major company at the office. Talk to your coworkers, neighbors and friends about the ShakeOut and encourage their participation.
Sign up for free at www.shakeout.org/washington/register to be counted in the ShakeOut Drill, get email updates, and more.
What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards. The ShakeOut drill will occur in houses, businesses, and public spaces alike throughout Washington at 10:16 a.m. on October 16, 2014. https://shakeout.org/
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Wouldn’t it make lots and lots more sense to encourage people to prepare an earthquake barrel (which is a plastic garbage can full of the things you would need to survive for three days after an earthquake that puts you out of your house) I’m sure there are lots of internet sites telling what to put in the barrel: water, blankets, canned food, etc. Having been through the two big ones in California, I’m not sure how much drop and cover is going to do…..kinda like sixth grade drills and nuclear bombs…..