IEMA Encourages Illinois residents to
register for ‘The Great ShakeOut’ earthquake drill in October
California earthquake highlights importance
of preparedness
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[September 09, 2014]
SPRINGFIELD
– People in northern California were jolted awake on a recent Sunday
morning by a 6.0 earthquake that damaged buildings and injured at
least 200 people. As officials in California deal with the quake’s
aftermath, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) stressed
the importance of earthquake preparedness in Illinois and encouraged
people to take part in a worldwide earthquake drill set for Oct. 16.
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“The Napa Valley earthquake is a reminder that earthquakes happen
without warning,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “With two
major seismic zones here in the central U.S., we all need to be
prepared to take quick actions to stay safe during an earthquake.
The Great ShakeOut is a good way for schools, businesses, families
and others to practice the life-saving ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’
moves.”
At 10:16 a.m. on Oct. 16, millions of people in 39 states, the
District of Columbia and several countries around the globe are
expected to participate in The Great ShakeOut. The drill is designed
to raise awareness about earthquake risks and the ways people can
stay safe when the ground starts shaking.
Illinois has participated in ShakeOut drills for the past four
years. In October 2013, more than 523,000 Illinoisans took part in
the nationwide earthquake drill. To date, more than 237,000 people
in Illinois are registered for the October ShakeOut event.
Monken noted that some of the most powerful earthquakes to ever
occur in the U.S. happened a little more than 200 years ago in the
New Madrid Seismic Zone, which reaches into southern Illinois. That
series of earthquakes lasted for several months and shaking was felt
as far away as the East Coast.
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Schools, businesses, government agencies, families and others
can register to participate in the drill at
www.shakeout.org/centralus Registered participants
will receive additional information about the drill and
earthquake preparedness. While the international drill will take
place on Oct. 16, individual drills can be conducted anytime
within two weeks of that date.
The drill focuses on the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” protective
actions people should take when an earthquake begins: “Drop”
down to the floor, take “Cover” under a sturdy desk, table or
other furniture, and “Hold On” to the furniture item and be
prepared to move with it until the shaking stops.
Additional information about the earthquake risk in Illinois and
steps to take before, during and after an earthquake is
available at
www.Ready.Illinois.gov
[Text received; ILLINOIS EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY]
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