At 10:19 a.m. on Oct. 19, more than 440,000 Missourians will react to an earthquake. They'll drop, cover and hold on - just as the experts advise you to do during this kind of natural disaster.
Only this earthquake reaction will be a drill - the Great Central U.S. "ShakeOut" earthquake drill. About 2.5 million people, including close to a half million Missourians, are registered in the 14 central U.S. states that could be impacted by a New Madrid Seismic Zone earthquake.
The most likely cause of injury during an earthquake is from falling debris. The best way to protest yourself is to:
Drop to your hands and knees;
Cover your heads and necks with your hands and arms under a table or desk if possible; and
Hold on until the shaking stops.
The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency says there's still time to sign up at www.shakeout.org/centralus. Once registered, participants receive details on the drill, as well as information on earthquake preparedness and safety. Individuals, families, businesses, schools and other organizations can register, and can participate on another day if Oct. 19 is not convenient.
More than 400 schools registered over 400,000 students and staff to participate in last year's ShakeOut, which had a total of more than 550,000 Missouri participants.
The ShakeOut website also contains many resources, including manuals, videos, audio drill broadcasts and earthquake scenarios.
In 1811 and 1812, the New Madrid Seismic Zone, centered in southeast Missouri, produced some of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in the continental U.S. A major earthquake in this area could result in damage in much of southern and eastern Missouri, including the St. Louis area. Geologists say there's a 7 to 10 percent chance of another major earthquake occurring within a 50-year time period.
To learn more about earthquakes in Missouri and how to prepare, visit www.sema.dps.mo.gov/earthquake_preparedness.
When natural disasters occur, there's little or no time to think or plan.
No one knows when the next earthquake will affect the Show-Me State. But participating in this statewide drill will help prepare you to react quickly when it happens.
News Tribune