[August 31, 2013]SPRINGFIELD -- At 10:17 a.m. on
Oct. 17, millions of people in 37 states, the District of Columbia
and portions of several countries are expected to "Drop, Cover and
Hold On" as they participate in the Great U.S. ShakeOut earthquake
drill. The event will mark the first time states across the U.S.
will join together in the drill, 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 three
years as part of the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut. In February, more
than 570,000 people in Illinois registered for the Great Central
U.S. ShakeOut, which also included the states of Alabama, Arkansas,
Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee. To
date, more than 186,000 people in Illinois are registered for the
October drill.
"We’re excited to be part of the national effort to
raise awareness of earthquake safety," said IEMA Director Jonathon
Monken. "The drill takes just a few minutes, but the lessons learned
could save countless lives."
Monken noted that 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.
Schools, businesses, government agencies, families and others are
encouraged to register at
www.shakeout.org/centralus to participate in the drill.
Registered participants will receive additional information about
the drill and earthquake preparedness. While the multistate drill
will take place on Oct. 17, 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.