The Great Central U.S. Shakeout is taking place on February 7, 2012
200 years ago, a series of major earthquakes struck the Mississippi River Valley along the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the Central United States. Recent events remind us that damaging earthquakes can happen at any time. With more than 40 million people living and working in the region today, a major earthquake would cause widespread damage and disruption.
What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards. With earthquakes an inevitable part of our future, we must act quickly to ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes.
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut in February 2012 will involve more than 1 million people through a broad‐based outreach program, partnership with the media, and public advocacy by hundreds of partners. This event is being organized by the Central United States Earthquake Consortium and the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The ShakeOut will be centered around a simultaneous Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill that will be held at 10:15 AM CDT on February 7, 2012. Drop, Cover, and Hold On is the easy-to-remember and recommended personal protective action to take in the event of an earthquake.
February 7th is also the 200th anniversary of the last of the 1811-12 earthquakes that destroyed the town of New Madrid, Missouri and created Reelfoot Lake in northwest Tennessee. A key aspect of the ShakeOut is the integration of earthquake research and the lessons learned from social science research about why people get prepared for disasters. The result is a “teachable moment” on par with having an actual earthquake (often followed by increased interest in getting ready for earthquakes). The ShakeOut creates the sense of urgency that is needed for people, organizations, and communities to get prepared, to practice what to do to be safe, and to learn what plans need to be improved. The ShakeOut inspires communities to work together towards disaster preparedness, and sets aside specific time for them to take proactive action to become better prepared.
The 2012 ShakeOut drill will follow on the success of the 2011 drill, where more than 3 million people participated in the largest preparedness event in central U.S. history. Interested participants are encouraged to go to www.shakeout.org/centralus and pledge their family, school, business, or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and how to create a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness.
It is a two minute commitment for something that can save your life. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone. For more information, visit www.shakeout.org/centralus.
What is the ShakeOut?
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is a multi-state earthquake drill that will be held at 10:15AM on February 7, 2012, when more than one million participants will simultaneously practice the recommend action during an earthquake, Drop, Cover, and Hold On:
- DROP to the ground,
- Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
- HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops
As one of the anchoring events of the New Madrid Bicentennial (200th anniversary of 1811-12 New Madrid Earthquakes), the second annual Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is being organized and coordinated by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and its Member and Associate States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey, and dozens of other partners.
When is the ShakeOut?
- Suggested Date & Time: February 7, 2012 @ 10:15AM CDT
- Why is the ShakeOut important?
Scientists estimate that there is a 25-40% probability of a damaging earthquake occurring in the central U.S. within the next 50 years. The ShakeOut is designed to help individuals and communities in the region get ready for damaging earthquakes, practice how to protect
themselves (Drop, Cover, and Hold On), and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.
Who is the target audience?
The ShakeOut is free, open to the general public, and all interested in disaster preparedness are encouraged to participate. This includes individuals, schools, businesses, governments, etc. The drill is a one to two minute commitment and is designed to be simple and thought provoking.
Where will the ShakeOut take place?
The ShakeOut will take place in communities throughout the CUSEC Member States of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. These are the states most at risk from damaging earthquakes along the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Additionally, the state of Oklahoma, which recently experienced a damaging M5.6 earthquake, is participating in the ShakeOut for the second year in a row.
How do people participate in the ShakeOut?
Interested individuals, schools, communities, businesses, etc. are encouraged to visit www.shakeout.org/centralus to pledge their participation in the drill. By registering, they are added to a growing list of people throughout the region. This list is displayed on the website and available for others to see, encouraging community participation.
What resources are available?On the website, several resources are available for participants to use
- Downloadable Drill Manuals, Scenarios, and Broadcasts
- Educational Videos & Information
- Web Banners, Flyers, Posters, etc.
Why do people need to do to get ready for an earthquake?
Scientists estimate that there is a 25-40% probability of a damaging earthquake occurring in the central U.S. within the next 50 years. Citizens and communities need to take preparedness steps to physically and financially survive a damaging earthquake. People should be aware of what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.
What should people do before an earthquake?
Everyone should secure items their space (home and workplace) to avoid injuries and damage, have a disaster plan, gather emergency supplies, practice what to do during an earthquake so you will be ready to react, and learn more about earthquake insurance.
What is earthquake insurance?
Earthquake insurance is an insurance policy (often called a rider) that is purchased separately from your homeowners policy. Pricing and deductibles vary by carrier. Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage caused by an earthquake, but you will need to check with your insurance broker for policy specifics. Usually, only by having earthquake insurance will your insurance cover earthquake related damage.
What should people do during an earthquake?
Drop, Cover, and Hold On! It is the safest action to take during ground shaking. There are 3 steps:
• DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
• Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
• HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
If there isn’t a table or desk near you, drop to the ground and then if possible move to an inside corner of the building. Be in a crawling position to protect your vital organs and be ready to move if necessary, and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table–you are more likely to be injured if you try to move around during strong shaking.
These are general guidelines for most situations. Depending on where you are (in bed, driving, in a theater, etc.), you might take other actions. The main point is: Immediately protect yourself as best as possible where you are. Do not move to another location. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl; likely knocking you to the ground where you happen to be. You will never know if the initial jolt will turn out to be the start of the big one. You should Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately! More information is available at www.ShakeOut.org/centralus/dropcoverholdon.
What should people do after an earthquake?
Once you and others are safe, begin your recovery process right away. If you have an earthquake insurance policy with your homeowners or renters insurance, and have suffered any property damage, contact your insurance provider for assistance and to file claims.
The ShakeOut website is the central location and resource for all ShakeOut related information, supplementary drill materials and multimedia and promotional items. These components include:
ShakeOut Related Information
- General ShakeOut and state-by-state earthquake information
- Information on how to participate in the drill
- Information on who is participating in the drill, and more
Supplementary Drill Materials and Multimedia
- Drill Manuals for Schools, Businesses, Non-Profits, and Government Organizations
- Drill Broadcasts (audio and video, downloadable with sound effects)
- Earthquake Scenarios and transcripts for self-guided drills
- Educational Videos and Multimedia
Promotional Items
- Web Banners
- Customizable flyers and posters
- Sample “Resolutions” and letters of support
Tags: earthquake, exercise, Great Central U.S. Shakeout, New Madrid, ShakeOut, test
