The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is One Week Away; It's Not Too Late to Sign Up

Last updated on Friday, October 9, 2015

(UNDATED) - The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is only one week away - October 15 at 10:15 a.m., and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) encourages all Hoosiers to register and participate in this opportunity to practice earthquake safety.

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.

Practicing what to do ahead of time is critical to safety in the event of an earthquake, and the ShakeOut educates participants on how to get prepared.

Participating in the ShakeOut is simple and only takes a few minutes. Next week, more than 39 million participants worldwide - 2.8 million in the Central U.S. - will simultaneously practice the recommended response to an earthquake, which is "Drop, Cover and Hold On":

DROP to the ground;
Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table; and
HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

Registered ShakeOut participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and how to create a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. IDHS asks that participants register (so they can be counted and receive ShakeOut updates), and at the minimum practice "Drop, Cover and Hold On" at or close to the specified time. Registration is free and open to everyone.

In addition to practicing "Drop, Cover and Hold On," IDHS encourages Hoosiers to check their homes and workplaces for items that could become dangerous in an earthquake, such as top-heavy furniture or appliances. Secure as many items as possible. For more information about earthquake safety and disaster preparedness, visit GetPrepared.in.gov.

Indiana's participation in the ShakeOut 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 U.S. Geological Survey.

Indiana leads the Central U.S. region with more than 675,000 registrants. Other states in the region include Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.

For more information about the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut and to register, visit GetPrepared.in.gov.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

Click here to go back to previous page