Drop, Cover and Hold on with The Great Central U.S. Shakeout

What would you do if an earthquake with a 6.5 magnitude occurred in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, with its epicenter in the Bootheel of Missouri, causing severe shaking in Western Kentucky? What if the quake was so severe that an estimated 100 people lost their lives and thousands of others needed urgent medical attention?

That's the scenario for The Great Central U.S. Shakeout, taking place on Thursday, Feb. 07 at 10:15 a.m. At this time participants are encouraged to drop down, cover themselves by getting underneath a sturdy object such as a desk or table and then holding on to that sturdy object so it doesn't move away from them during the shaking.

The event is the region's largest annual earthquake drill, and it includes Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. So far 2.1 million participants have registered for this year's drill. 

There are different levels of participation for which you can register, the most basic being simply to “drop, cover and hold on." Those organizations, families or individuals who are interested in forming and then implementing a more comprehensive earthquake preparedness and recovery plan are encouraged to do so.

To find out more about the drill and register your workplace or home to participate, visit http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/register/.