[californiadisasters] March 2011 ShakeOut Update: 3.6 million already registered!

Registration for the 2011 Great California ShakeOut has been open for just over a month, and already more then 3.6 million participants are signed up!  The Drill this year will be on 10/20 at 10:20 a.m. If you have not renewed yet, we hope you will join us again to practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On, get prepared, and encourage others to participate.  This year you can also expand your drill to include additional preparedness or response activities.  Please take a moment to quickly renew your registration, and we may reach the 4 million milestone several months earlier than last year! You'll also have more time to plan your drill. To help you get ready for the 2011 ShakeOut, all flyers, web banner images, drill broadcast recordings, and more are all updated on the ShakeOut Resources page.  New Zealand Earthquake The devastation of the 6.3 magnitude quake in Christchurch on February 22 is still being assessed, and the death toll has reached 159.  While many buildings in the central core of the city suffered partial or complete collapse, modern building codes resulted in far fewer losses than if such an earthquake were to shake a less prepared country.  And many people knew how to protect themselves during the shaking, such as survivor Sven Baker: "The split-second decision was to run out into the street or dive under a car or under a table, and I went under a table just as the whole facade of the building collapsed on to the street, so I'm pretty grateful for that instinctive decision" (see full story) There are many organizations who need money to support the response and recovery. Here is how you can donate: New Zealand Prime Minister's Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Other ways to donate Remembering the Voice of the ShakeOut The ShakeOut Drill Broadcast has been a popular aspect of the drill, providing instructions with sound effects to play while everyone is under their desk.  Since 2008, the script of the broadcast has been recorded by Jack Popejoy, who lost a battle with cancer last month (read more).  He was morning news anchor at KNX radio in Los Angeles, and a well-respected reporter on earthquakes and preparedness.  He was also one of the original organizers of the ShakeOut, and a great friend to those of us who had the privilege of working with him. Fortunately, last year's drill broadcast recording was created to last for many years, and will continue to be used in his honor.  Prepare, Protect, and Recover! Devastating earthquakes 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. Learn what to do now according to the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety. 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 updated special report to learn why. Share the ShakeOut Though the 2011 ShakeOut is over 7 months from now, we'll be sharing and discussing information throughout the year via social media. To keep updated, follow ShakeOut on twitter and on Facebook.

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