EARTHQUAKE - DROP, COVER, AND HOLD DRILL

On Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 10:15AM, Washington State will be conducting an annual Earthquake drill statewide.  All citizens, businesses, schools, and government agencies are strongly encouraged to participate in the drill.

The drill will commence through the NOAA weather alert radio system, alerting listeners to the simulated earthquake and issuing instructions to drop, cover, and hold.  At the end of the approximate 1 minute drill, instructions will be issued to discontinue the reactive measures.  Additional informational alerts regarding Tsunamis will also be conducted on Wednesday.  Please ensure your NOAA weather radios are on and set up properly.

The geological forces within Washington State subject our citizens and infrastructure to the certainty of seismic activity.  Due to the types of faults in and around the state, constant seismic events occur, mostly unfelt.  There exists the certainty that a major earthquake (magnitude 7+) will occur at any given time, particularly on the western portion of the state.  Eventually, the Cascadian Subduction Zone will become active with potentially catastrophic results.

Earthquakes, such as the 2001 Nisqually 6.8, do occur without notice or warning, and will happen again.

The purpose of this drill is to highlight, during National Preparedness Month, and practice methods that will warn, notify, and assist citizens in safe response to the event, encourage the maintenance of emergency kits, and to consider the implications of an event on their lives, family, work, schools, and communities.

The Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management, in conjunction with partner agencies, the State of Washington, and the Federal authorities, encourages your participation in this drill.