{"id":28061,"date":"2025-10-16T11:23:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T15:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mdem\/?p=28061"},"modified":"2025-10-16T11:23:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T15:23:04","slug":"maryland-residents-encouraged-to-participate-in-great-shakeout-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mdem\/2025\/10\/16\/maryland-residents-encouraged-to-participate-in-great-shakeout-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Residents Encouraged to Participate in Great ShakeOut"},"content":{"rendered":"

Drop, Cover, and Hold On During Preparedness Drill Thursday at 10:16 a.m.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

HANOVER, MD (October 14, 2023) \u2014 <\/b>The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) is proud to promote Earthquake Preparedness and encourages Marylanders to take part in <\/span>The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills<\/span><\/a> occurring across the Country on October 16 at 10:16 a.m. local time.\u00a0 Over 98,000 people representing approximately 50 organizations, including individuals and families from Maryland were registered as of Friday afternoon. Others are encouraged to register <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> before the exercise begins.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile earthquakes are not common in Maryland, events like the one in Mineral, Virginia on August 23, 2011, can be felt throughout Maryland. The Great Shake Out is an opportunity for Marylanders to practice what to do and what NOT to do during a disaster. It\u2019s an important reminder that preparedness is something we can all take part in, no matter where we live,\u201d <\/span>said MDEM Secretary Russ Strickland.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most frightening and destructive phenomena of nature is a severe earthquake and its terrible aftereffects.\u00a0 Earthquakes can happen at any time of the year and at any time during the day. It is impossible to predict when or where an earthquake will occur, so it is important that you and your family are prepared ahead of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

A key aspect of the Great ShakeOut is integrating comprehensive science-based earthquake research and the lessons learned from decades of social science research about why people get prepared. \u00a0The result is a \u201cteachable moment\u201d on par with having an actual earthquake (often followed by increased interest in getting ready for earthquakes). \u00a0ShakeOut 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

On October 16 at 10:16 a.m. local time you should <\/span>drop, cover, and hold<\/span><\/i> on for earthquake preparedness;<\/span><\/p>\n