Join Southwest Missouri Regional Skywarn on Thursday, October 18, 2018, at 10:18 a.m. Central Time as we participate in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, the region’s largest earthquake drill ever! During this drill, people throughout the Central United States are encouraged to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in order to practice how to protect ourselves and to become prepared in the event of a major earthquake. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake before strong shaking knocks you down or something falls on you.
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is an annual opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes. The ShakeOut has also been organized to encourage you, your community, your school, or your organization to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies and to secure your space in order to prevent damage and injuries.
Major earthquakes may happen anywhere you live, work, or travel. Here in the Central U.S., the New Madrid Seismic Zone presents the biggest potential for spawning a catastrophic earthquake. However, there are many locations where relatively smaller yet still dangerous earthquake hazards exist including the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone in Southeastern Illinois and Southwestern Indiana along with several areas in northeastern Oklahoma and northern and central Arkansas.
Millions of people worldwide have participated in Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills since 2008. The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is now held annually on the third Thursday of October.
As the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut approaches, here are a few things all of us should think about:
- Do you know where your electric circuit breaker box for your home is? Can you easily access it at a moment’s notice?
- Do you know where your water main shutoff valve is located? Can you easily access it at a moment’s notice? Do you have the proper tool to turn this valve if required?
- Do you have natural gas or propane service at your home? If so, do you know where the main shutoff valve is located? Can you easily access it at a moment’s notice, and do you have the proper tool to turn this valve if required?
More information about the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut can be found here.