Millions of residents across California are expected to ``drop, cover and hold on'' tomorrow as part of an annual earthquake preparedness drill aimed at ensuring people are ready for the ``big one.''
About 9.3 million people have registered to take part in the fifth annual ``Great California Shakeout, including more than 926,000 in Orange County, according to ShakeOut.org.
The drill is scheduled for 10:18 a.m. and will simulate a magnitude-7.8 or larger quake along the southernmost area of the San Andreas Fault. At 10:18 a.m., participants will ``drop'' to the ground, take ``cover'' under a desk, table or other sturdy surface and ``hold on'' for 60 seconds, as if a major earthquake were occurring.
Click here to register for this year's ShakeOut. Promote the exercise and earthquake preparedness using these resources. Think you know what do when an earthquake strikes? Test your knowledge with this quiz. And see if you'd "Beat the Quake" here.
Participants are also asked to look around during the drill and envision what might be occurring during an actual quake -- what objects might be falling, what damage could be occurring and will there be a way to escape the area afterward. Government workers and students are among those expected to take part in the drill.
Under the quake scenario, a tectonic shift would produce waves of movement for hundreds of miles, over four minutes. According to the U.S.
Geological Survey, some 2,000 people would die, tens of thousands would be injured and more than $200 billion in damage would result from the catastrophe, which would have 50 times the intensity of the Jan. 17, 1994, Northridge earthquake.
Hundreds of aftershocks would follow, a few of them nearly as big as the original event, according to the USGS. Californians should be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours following an earthquake or other major disaster. That includes having a first-aid kit, medications, food and enough water for each member of a household to drink one gallon per day for at least 72 hours, according to local and state officials.
Homeowners and renters should also know how to turn off the gas in their house or apartment in case of leaks.
- The City News Service contributed to this report.
Maybe an extended high-speed pile-up on a foggy freeway with tractor trailers thrown in. Having one's ass kicked by a gang of young toughs with great endurance and no conscience. "Expect to be very surprised, stunned, even," might be the best advice. I think I can manage that.
I keep my bathtub full after a bath. The water can be used as gray water for non drinking purposes such as cleaning clothes and flushing toilets should the water supply be interrupted. It's the little things you need to worry about: securing your heavy furniture for example. (You should do this anyway if you have small kids.) Emergency night lights which come on in a power outage. Fire extinguishers. CO detectors. Portable gasoline electric generator (Craigslist has lots of used ones for cheap. Great for camping too.)
This is what will really happen during a major earthquake. (please see link below.): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z5ckzem7uA Also please note that on 10/18/2012 at 10:18 AM, Californians will participate in the largest EQ drill ever. You may register at http://www.shakeout.org/california/register/index.php Everyone can participate! Schools, government, families. business, individuals, agencies and organizations. Desi J. Kiss, MS.PE City Council Candidate
I live 52 mi away so it won't affect me but those inside the 50 mi radius must have massive denial glands pumping out endorphinoids 24/7. They say OC is made of tuffer stuff. Maybe it's true...