The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are urging residents to practice the Drop, Cover, and Hold On! technique during Earthquake Awareness Month this February.
“Strong earthquakes can impact not only southern Illinois but the entire state, given our proximity to two significant seismic zones—the New Madrid Seismic Zone along the Missouri border and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone near Indiana,” stated Director Alicia Tate Nadeau. “The most effective way to ensure your safety during an earthquake is to regularly practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On! Familiarity with this technique will prepare you to react swiftly when an earthquake strikes, as it can disrupt homes and infrastructure throughout Illinois.”
Regardless of whether you are at home, in a school, or in a high-rise building, knowing how to protect yourself during an earthquake is essential. It’s advisable to rehearse these steps with family members, so everyone knows how to respond automatically when shaking occurs.
If you find yourself indoors during an earthquake, follow these steps to Drop, Cover, and Hold On:
Drop down to the ground.
Take cover beneath a sturdy desk, table, or another piece of furniture.
Hold on to the furniture until the shaking stops.
For guidance on how individuals with disabilities can adapt the Drop, Cover, and Hold On! method to minimize injury during an earthquake, additional resources are available.
Another way to prepare for earthquakes is to participate in the national ShakeOut drill in October, where nearly 20 million people across the U.S. practice their earthquake response.
IEMA-OHS also provides disaster preparedness information through the Ready Illinois website, which serves as a comprehensive resource for what to do before, during, and after a disaster. For further details on earthquake preparedness, please visit https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/preparedness/earthquake.html.
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