Millions take part in ShakeOut

Staff Reports

At 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, over 20 million around the world took cover -- school children, students at universities, employees and patients in government and healthcare facilities and others -- as part of the global Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. It is estimated that nearly one-half million individuals in Missouri participated in the drill.

From Dec. 16, 1811 to Feb. 7, 1812, Missouri was rocked by at least three of the largest earthquakes ever to hit the continental United States.The most powerful of the three was centered in New Madrid, a linking county to Stoddard County.

"The ShakeOut earthquake drill is more than a way to teach Missourians how to protect themselves in the event of a major earthquake," said State Emergency Management Agency Director Ron Walker.

"The drill helps introduce young people to the concept of planning for and reacting quickly to different types of emergency situations. I encourage schools, businesses and families to consider participating in this short and simple drill."

According to SEMA, the New Madrid Seismic Zone experiences about 200 small earthquakes every year, and scientists say it's only a matter of time before large earthquakes strike the area of southeast Missouri again.

Since earthquakes offer no warning, the best weapon against injury is preparedness. This year a total of 2,758,000 residents in the Central United States, where danger from the New Madrid Seismic Zone is of great concern, participated in what that area of the country called the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut.

SEMA endorses the "Drop, Cover and Hold On" technique, which involves dropping to the ground, taking cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and holding on to it for at least 60 seconds or until the shaking stops.