Don't Forget! Drop, Cover and Hold On

An earthquake can strike at any time, and when the "Big One" hits, it's best to be prepared.

Tomorrow at 10:20 a.m., about 8.5 million people statewide will take part in the Earthquake Country Alliance's Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill. In Newport Beach, city officials will be conducting activities throughout the day to help residents become better prepared for the next real-live earthquake.

Katie Eing of the Newport Beach Fire Department said at 8:30 a.m. the Fire Department will be conducting a windshield survey drill.

"If you see fire trucks driving around, just know they are simulating an earthquake situation, looking for damage and writing down information," she explained.

City officials will also take part in a three-hour Emergency Operations Drill from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The drill will be held at the city's emergency operations center located at the Newport Beach Police Department and will simulate a 7.1 earthquake on the Newport-Inglewood Fault. It will involve over 100 city employees and volunteers. At 5 p.m., will be sent to Newport Beach residents and the residents of 29 Orange County cities.

Although Japan's devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake in March sent a powerful message to the world, Eing said the ShakeOut—which was created in 2008—serves as a great reminder to residents about the need to be prepared for an emergency.

"Tomorrow we are encouraging our residents to do something disaster preparedness related," Eing said, "such as updating their emergency supply kit." Business owners should conduct a cover-and-hold-on drill with employees to make sure they know the evacuation procedures, she said.

Over at the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, staff, teachers and students will also participate in the earthquake drill and will go through evacuation procedures.

"We do hope this helps improve our capabilities for these types of situations and lets the community know that we are taking emergency preparedness very seriously," said Kent Ramseyer, the district's emergency preparedness coordinator.

Because of its proximity to the ocean, Newport Elementary School will conduct an tsunami evacuation in connection with the earthquake drill.

"The staff and students there will be evacuated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel next door," Ramseyer said. "Because of the wave height that could occur due to a locally based earthquake, evacuation to a building with a second story is needed."

District spokeswoman Laura Boss said students and staff at all N-MUSD school sites will be evacuated to their designated locations. Staff will then call into the district command center.

"Everyone will remain evacuated until they get the all clear from the district command center," Boss said.

When the next earthquake hits, Californians are encouraged to drop, cover and hold on in order to reduce injuries.

• DROP down onto your hands and knees to protect yourself from falling. This allows you to move if necessary.
• COVER your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, only then should you get down near an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
• HOLD ON to your shelter—or to your head and neck—until the shaking stops. 

For more information on the Great California Shakeout, and tips on how to be prepared visit http://www.shakeout.org.