The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is encouraging Hoosiers to practice earthquake safety by registering and participating in this year’s Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, which will take place Oct. 15 at 10:15 a.m.
Indiana is exposed to a serious threat of earthquakes along the New Madrid Seismic Zone – located 180 miles southwest of Evansville – and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, which encompasses parts of Southeastern Illinois and Southwestern Indiana.
The ShakeOut is an opportunity to practice proper safety measures in the event of an earthquake. It’s the largest earthquake drill in the Central United States, and is led by local emergency management agencies, IDHS, the Indiana Geological Survey, the Indiana Department of Education, the Central United States Earthquake Consortium, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey.
At 10:15 a.m. on October 15, participants should drop to the ground; take cover under a table or desk; and hold on as if a major earthquake were happening. Preparation is key to surviving and minimizing injuries during an actual earthquake.
The days leading up to the ShakeOut are a great time to check houses, workplaces or schools for potential earthquake hazards and to create a preparedness kit that can be used for a variety of situations, not just earthquakes. Disaster kits should include water and food for all household members, first-aid supplies, flashlights and batteries, medication, items for pets, and extra clothing. For information on disaster kits and emergency preparedness, visit GetPrepared.in.gov.
A total of 2 million participants have registered so far, and Indiana is currently in the lead with 557,000 registrants. Other states in the region include Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Kansas and Tennessee. Last year, Indiana had nearly 480,000 registrants for the drill.
To learn how individuals, families or organizations can participate in the 2015 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, visit GetPrepared.in.gov. To register for this year’s ShakeOut, go to http://ShakeOut.org/CentralUS/Register.
