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Maryland Department of Emergency Management

“Great ShakeOut” Earthquake Drill to Occur Tomorrow (10/19)

“Great ShakeOut” Earthquake Drill to Occur Tomorrow (10/19)

All Marylanders Encouraged to Participate and Practice Earthquake Preparedness

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REISTERSTOWN, Md. (October 18, 2017) — The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is asking residents to register and take part in the Great Southeast ShakeOut earthquake drill tomorrow. Participants will learn proper earthquake preparedness and safety techniques while participating in this nationwide exercise. This year’s ShakeOut is set for Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 10:19 a.m.

“While Maryland experiences earthquakes less often than other hazards, the fact is that they can and do occur in our State,” said Russ Strickland, executive director of MEMA. “Residents should drill for these no-notice events just like they practice fire, severe weather, and other regular drills.”

The ShakeOut drill is free and open to the public. Individuals, families, schools, businesses, government agencies, and many other groups can all participate in tomorrow’s drill.  Those wanting to participate are asked to register by visiting www.shakeout.org. Thousands of Maryland residents have already registered for the 2017 drill.

During the self-led drill, participants practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Endorsed by emergency officials and first responders, the safe response to an earthquake is to:

  • Drop to the ground,
  • Take Cover under a table or desk, and
  • Hold On to it.

For more information about emergency preparedness, please visit our website at mema.maryland.gov, Twitter feed and Facebook page.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For information about Maryland participants in the drill, please visit www.shakeout.org/southeast and click on the Maryland icon on the map. Please contact participating organizations directly if you want to do a story about their participation.