| The 2010 Great California ShakeOut on October 21 is now less than six months away, and already more than 3.2 million Californians are registered to participate!
If you or your organization has not yet registered for 2010, please login to quickly update your information and confirm your participation. With your help, we can reach 3.5 million participants this week (especially if school districts and colleges re-register now). If you have registered already, thank you!
The ShakeOut website is updated for 2010, including resources such as drill manuals, posters, flyers, web banners, and more. These materials are provided to help you plan your drill, to inform your organization's employees or your community, and to encourage others to register.
What's with all the earthquakes?
Since the March ShakeOut Update email, additional large earthquakes have shaken the planet. The April 4th magnitude 7.2 Baja California earthquake caused extensive damage on both sides of the border, and 2 people were killed. This was the largest earthquake to shake southern California since 1992, and has been followed by thousands of aftershocks, including many north of the border. On April 14th the Qinghai province of China was rocked by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake with a death toll of over 2,200 people. There are many factors that explain the differences, including building standards and other preparedness efforts.
Even though we have had additional large earthquakes in populated areas this year, scientists do not believe that they are interconnected, and do not know if the trend will continue. Some years have more earthquakes, and some are relatively quiet. However California remains at high risk for earthquakes, so we must remember that large earthquakes can shake any part of the state at anytime.
Prepare, Protect, and Recover!
The large earthquakes around the world this year show the value of improved building codes and public education, and demonstrate how important it is to be prepared–as individuals, organizations, communities, and beyond. The ShakeOut is an opportunity for us to prepare together, hopefully before a major earthquake happens again here in California. To help we will be sending you preparedness tips each month, following the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety. Step 3: Make Disaster Kits. Everyone should have disaster supplies kits stored in accessible locations at home, at work and in your vehicle. Having emergency supplies readily available can reduce the impact of an earthquake, a terrorist incident or other emergency on you and your family. Your disaster supplies kits should include food, water, flashlights, portable radios, batteries, a first aid kit, cash, extra medications, a whistle, fire extinguisher, etc.
NOTE: Firefighters, preparedness officials, and other experts agree that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the best way to protect yourself during earthquakes. Other methods can be very dangerous. Read our special report to learn why.
Thank you for your participation and commitment to earthquake safety!
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