Drop, cover, and hold on: Officials urge residents to participate in earthquake drill on Thursday

Dyer County Emergency Management Director James Medling and Northwest Tennessee Red Cross Executive Director Lynn Karlgaard are urging residents to join over 18 million people across the world for the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill that will take place on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 10:17 a.m.

The purpose of the drill is for people to learn and practice what to do if they ever experience an earthquake. Millions of people across the globe will be participating in the event. Officials say Northwest Tennessee residents should especially practice for an earthquake since the area lies along the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

"We are in Ground Zero as far a the New Madrid Seismic Zone and this area has the potential for substantial damage if a large enough earthquake occurs," said Medling.

Medling reminds residents the area experienced a series of the largest earthquakes to strike the eastern United States during the early 1800s and also formed Reelfoot Lake in Lake County.

"This is a very real possibility and people should practice for earthquakes, just as they would for any other natural disaster."

Karlgaard, who has lived in earthquake-prone California, knows the danger that earthquakes pose and said Tennesseans should be prepared.

"These drills are very important and we practiced for them on a regular basis in California," said Karlgaard. "It may seem like something that could never happen to us, but this area is a hotbed of seismic activity. We have numerous low-magnitude earthquakes that happen in Dyer and Lake County all of the time."

According to the Center for Earthquake Research and Information, just last month, Dyersburg experienced three earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 1.7 to 1.9 magnitude. Lake County has had four within the last three weeks from a 1.1 to a 2.3 magnitude.

To participate in the Great Shakeout visit shakeout.org and register. Residents, schools, and organizations are encouraged to participate in order to update emergency plans and supplies, and to secure your space in order to prevent damage and injuries. Most ShakeOut drills are scheduled for 10:17 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17. However, people may hold their ShakeOut drill for a date they find most convenient. During the drill, this means that wherever you are at that moment -- at home, at work, at school, anywhere -- you should "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" as if there were a major earthquake occurring at that very moment, and stay in this position for at least 60 seconds.

Even if you choose not to participate in the drill, Medling recommends residents still have provisions stocked if critical services were ever disrupted.

"I personally recommend everyone be self-sustaining for at least a week," said Medling. "This means food, water, medicine, first-aid, flashlights, and other items you will need to survive for at least a week if services are disrupted during a natural disaster such as an earthquake."

Other helpful information:

The Red Cross has several safety tips and resources to help people learn what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

1. If someone is in inside when the shaking starts:

* They should drop to the ground, take cover and hold on. Move as little as possible. Try to protect the head and torso. If sitting at a desk or table, get under it and hold on to it until the shaking stops. Otherwise, drop wherever they are.

* If someone is in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect the head with a pillow.

* Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to exit.

* Use stairs to exit the building rather than an elevator.

* Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.

2. If someone is outside when the shaking starts:

* Move as little as possible. Find a clear spot away from buildings, power lines, trees and streetlights and drop to the ground until the shaking stops.

* If in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible. Stay inside with the seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.

* If a power line falls on the vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.

* If in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.

Also, people can download the American Red Cross Earthquake App. The free American Red Cross Earthquake App for iPhone and Android mobile devices gives users instant access to local and real-time information in order to help them make crucial decisions. People can view the app in English or Spanish based on user settings.

Features of the app include:

* Simple steps and checklists people can use to create a family emergency plan;

* Earthquake epicenter location, impact magnitude and local geographical impact data provided by the U.S. Geological Survey;

* One touch "I'm safe" messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends via social media outlets that they are out of harm's way;

* Toolkit with flashlight, strobe light and audible alarm; and

* Locations of open Red Cross shelters.

Additional earthquake safety information is available at redcross.org/earthquake.