This year’s International ShakeOut Day is October 17, when millions of people worldwide will participate in earthquake drills at work, school, or home!
At 10:17 am (local time) on 10/17, you can join people across Oregon practicing earthquake safety. While we encourage you to participate with everyone, you can register your ShakeOut drill for any day of the year, and drill at a time of your choice. You can also include people in multiple locations through video conferencing. https://www.shakeout.org/oregon/
During an earthquake, you should:
- Drop to your hands and knees.
- Cover your head and neck and crawl under a desk or table, if nearby.
- Hold on until the shaking stops.
Oregon lies at a convergent continental boundary. The Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 600-mile-long earthquake fault, spans from northern California to southern British Columbia. As the Juan de Fuca and North America tectonic plates push against each other, the fault builds stress and will eventually rip apart causing a massive earthquake.
Although the Cascadia Subduction Zone hasn’t created an earthquake in more than 300 years, preparation is still critical for survival in a natural disaster.
“Understanding what to do in the first few moments of an earthquake can mean the difference between surviving or not,” said Erin McMahon, director of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. “Building a culture of preparedness in Oregon requires each of us to take proactive steps, and participating in the Great Oregon ShakeOut is a simple yet impactful way to reduce risk.”
The Great Oregon ShakeOut takes place every third Thursday in October. The event is part of a global earthquake drill involving individuals, families, schools and businesses. Participants pledge to drop, cover and hold on, wherever they are and whatever they’re doing.
The Great ShakeOut serves as a stark reminder that preparedness is not an option, but a necessity.
- Practice Saves Lives: The main objective of the Great ShakeOut is to practice what to do when an earthquake hits. Regular drills help individuals and communities develop muscle memory for responding effectively.
- Raise Awareness: This event raises awareness about earthquake risks and the importance of being prepared. It encourages individuals, schools, businesses, and organizations to take action.
- Community Resilience: A well-prepared community can better withstand the impact of an earthquake. The Great ShakeOut fosters a sense of collective responsibility to ensure that neighborhoods are ready to respond and recover.
For more information about the Great Oregon ShakeOut and to register, go to ShakeOut.org/Oregon.
More information on earthquake and tsunami preparedness: Great Oregon ShakeOut: Registration & General Information: www.shakeout.org/oregon/Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions: http://www.earthquakecountry.org/…/ShakeOut_Recommended…Earthquake Country Alliance: Welcome to Earthquake Country! https://www.earthquakecountry.org/accessibility/Earthquake Guide for People with Disabilities: http://www.earthquakecountry.org/…/ShakeOut_Earthquake…Media – PSA Resources: http://www.shakeout.org/oregon/resources/index.html…Lincoln County Emergency Management Cascadia Earthquake Factsheet: http://www.oregongeology.org/…/cascadia-planning-for-em…Earthquake and Tsunami Emergency Guide: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/DocumentCenter/View/2062Hazards: Earthquakes: http://www.co.lincoln.or.us/emerg…/page/hazards-earthquakeHazards: Tsunamis: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/772/Hazards-TsunamisMain page: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/708/Emergency-ManagementCDC Preparing for an earthquake: https://www.cdc.gov/earthquakes/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes Tsunamis: www.cdc.gov/disasters/tsunamis/Ready.govEarthquakes: www.ready.gov/earthquakesTsunamis: www.ready.gov/tsunamis Red Cross Earthquake Safety: http://www.redcross.org/…/types-of…/earthquake.html Emergency Management Programs (In Alphabetical Order)City of Lincoln City: https://www.lincolncity.org/residents/emergency-preparednessCity of Newport: newportoregon.gov/emergency/default.asp Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians: https://ctsi.nsn.us/east-lincoln-county-cert/ Lincoln County: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/emergencymanagement