The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut

With more than 40 million people living and working in the central United States, a major earthquake could cause unprecedented disruption and devastation.   With earthquakes an inevitable part of our future, we must act quickly to ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes. 

What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards. 

The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut in April 2011 will involve more than 1 million people through a broad-based outreach program, partnership with the media, and public advocacy by hundreds of partners. This event is being organized by CUSEC and our Member States:  Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.  The ShakeOut will be centered around a simultaneous drop, cover, and hold drill that will be held at 10:15 AM CDT on April 28, 2011.   The drill is designed to increase awareness and be a simple thing that can be done easily by many people.  A key aspect of the ShakeOut is the integration of comprehensive science-based earthquake research and the lessons learned from decades of social science research about why people get prepared.  The result is a “teachable moment” on par with having an actual earthquake (often followed by increased interest in getting ready for earthquakes).

The ShakeOut creates the sense of urgency that is needed for people, organizations, and communities to get prepared, to practice what to do to be safe, and to learn what plans need to be improved.  Not just any drill will accomplish this; it needs to be big.  It must inspire communities to come together.  It must involve children at school and parents at work, prompting conversations at home. It must allow every organization, city, etc., to make it their own event.

The 2011 ShakeOut drill will be the largest earthquake preparedness event in central U.S. history. Soon, a website detailing ShakeOut drill procedures, registration, and promotion, will be ready at www.ShakeOut.org/centralus. At this website, you will be able to pledge your family, school, business, or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and how to create a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. All organizers ask is that participants register (so the can be counted and receive communications), and at the minimum practice "drop, cover, and hold on" at the specified time.

It is only a five minute commitment for something that can save your life. It all begins with registering, which is free and open to everyone. 

Central United States Consortium

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