ShakeOut planned for Thursday

ATLANTA – When it comes to natural disasters, Georgians know to be prepared for tornadoes, floods and other high-wind, heavy-rain events. FEMA officials, however, are asking residents of the state to be ready for a disaster few Georgians think about — earthquakes.

At 10:19 a.m. Thursday, federal emergency officials are asking more than 4.26 million people in the Southeast and central United States to participate in Shakeout Earthquake Drills, part of an international effort to practice how to stay safe during an earthquake.

The ShakeOut International Day of Action is a self-led drill in which participants practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” FEMA official say. For most people, in most situations, the recommended earthquake safety actions are to:

— Drop where you are, onto your hands and knees;

— Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand, as you crawl for shelter under a nearby table or desk;

— Hold on to your shelter with one hand until shaking stops (remain on your knees and covering your head and neck with your other arm and hand).

FEMA officials say the recent magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck near Mexico City was a reminder that large, damaging earthquakes occur with little or no warning. While many think of quakes as events that occur elsewhere, they do occur in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states. FEMA officials note that in August 2011, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Virginia, felt by an estimated 100 million people, caused about $150 million in damage and economic loss.

Participants in the ShakeOut, which is conducted on the third Thursday of October, include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies, and other groups. To take part, register to participate at www.shakeout.org. Registered people will receive regular information on how to plan a drill and become better prepared.

The Great Central U.S. and Southeast U.S. ShakeOut is being coordinated by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey, and dozens of other partners. ShakeOut is coordinated globally by the Southern California Earthquake Center in Los Angeles.