2021 ShakeOut Earthquake Drill scheduled for October 21
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency says it’s always a good time to prepare for the potential of a natural disaster.
TOLEDO, Ohio — At 10:21 a.m. on Thursday, October 21, Ohioans are encouraged to join the Great Central U.S. Consortium and practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” during the minute-long 2021 ShakeOut Earthquake Drill.
To date, nearly 7,000 Ohioans have registered to take part in the earthquake drill, but those numbers are well behind last year’s numbers, where 16,253 registered. Individuals, households, schools, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to sign up to participate in this year’s ShakeOut and to help spread the word and encourage others to participate and prepare to protect.
During the one-minute drill, Ohioans are encouraged to practice these simple steps:
- DROP onto your hands and knees.
This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter. If you have mobility issues, either lock the wheels of your wheelchair or stay seated and bend over at the waist.
COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.
- If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for protection. If no shelter is available, crawl next to an interior wall and stay clear of windows.
HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
- If you are under a table or desk for shelter, hold onto it with one hand and be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.
