IEMA Encourages all Illinoisans to Register,
Participate in Upcoming Earthquake Drill
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[October 12, 2020]
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA)
is encouraging all families, schools, businesses and other
organizations to participate in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut on
October 15, 2020, at 10:15 am. |
The goal of this “Drop, Cover and Hold On” drill
is to improve preparedness and draw attention to the earthquake
hazards that exist in Illinois, across the country and around the
world.
ShakeOut is an international event involving millions of
participants from more than 40 states and territories and several
countries. To date, millions of people have registered worldwide,
but so far only 940,000 people have registered in the United States.
In Illinois, there are currently 100,694 registered participants.
Local emergency managers throughout the state are hoping to increase
that number as we approach the day of the drill.
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“Tornadoes and floods can be forecasted to give you advance warning
to take cover, but there is no way to predict when an earthquake
will occur,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “The Great
ShakeOut earthquake drill is a quick and easy way for people to
practice steps that could save their lives.”
Why is this important?
Earthquakes can occur at anytime, anywhere and without warning.
While we often associate earthquakes with the west coast, quakes can
and do occur closer to home. Illinois is positioned between two
active seismic zones, the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the Wabash
Valley Seismic Zone. Earthquakes were reported in Illinois in 2012
(McHenry County), 2010 (Kane County) and 2008 (Wabash County). In
fact, an earthquake in any of our neighboring states could be felt
by residents in Illinois. This underscores the importance of
preparedness.
An earthquake can strike when you are at work, at
home, at school, or while on vacation. When you are asleep in your
bed or at an afternoon ballgame. ShakeOut provides the opportunity
to practice what you would do in the event of an earthquake. [to top of second
column] |
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Shakeout Participation is as easy as 1, 2, 3…
1. REGISTER your home, school, business or organization on the ShakeOut
website: www.ShakeOut.org/centralus. Once registered, your point of contact will
receive important information about earthquakes and preparedness.
2. MAKE A PLAN. Build an emergency supply kit for your family. Talk to
your family members about what you should do in the event of an earthquake.
Secure heavy items in your home like bookcases, refrigerators, televisions and
objects that hang on the wall. Evaluate your home for structural issues.
3. PRACTICE “DROP, COVER and HOLD ON” on October 15, 2020, at 10:15 am.
Drop to the ground onto your hands and knees.
Cover your head and neck with one arm to protect yourself from falling objects.
Hold On to a sturdy table or desk until the shaking is done.
These are the recommended actions to protect yourself during an earthquake.
Additional earthquake preparedness and mitigation information is available on
the following websites:
http://www.ready.
llinois.gov and
http://www.cusec.org.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information]
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