All are encouraged to participate in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill to be held on Thursday.

During the drill, participants will “drop, cover, and hold on.” This is the recommended safety action to take during an earthquake.

Millions of people have participated in ShakeOut drills since 2008. The drill is your chance to practice how to protect yourself and do your part to help prevent a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe.

This will be the first year an earthquake preparedness drill is officially held in the southeastern United States. The Great Southeast ShakeOut includes Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Official ShakeOut drills will also be held on Oct. 18 in Alaska, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Guam, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Puerto Rico, southern Italy and Washington.

Sign Up and ShakeOut

Although the ShakeOut is just days away, it is not too late to register to participate. Mark your calendar and register for the ShakeOut drill near you. Families, schools, businesses, and organizations can all get involved and sign up.

There are many ways to participate, and a variety of resources and tips are provided online. This includes pre-made flyers, drill broadcast recordings, drill manuals, and more.

What to Do During the Drill

The drill will begin at 10:18 a.m. local time. If you are indoors, you should “drop, cover, and hold on.” Drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it firmly. If you are not near a desk or table, drop to the floor against the interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid exterior walls, windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances, and kitchen cabinets with heavy objects or glass.

While down on the floor, take a moment to look around at what could be falling during a real earthquake. Those items should be secured or moved after the drill.

If you happen to be outdoors, move to a clear area if you can safely do so. Avoid power lines, trees, signs, buildings, vehicles, and other items that could fall on you. If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. Avoid stopping under overpasses, bridges, power lines, or traffic signs. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over.