Great Central Shakeout slated

Southern 7 Health Department says that if you have lived in Southern Illinois for more than a minute, you have likely heard of the New Madrid fault, also known as the New Madrid Seismic Zone.  

The regional health department, which serves Union County and six other area counties, also asks if area residents are prepared if the earth starts shaking.

The Great Central U.S. Shakeout drill is set for 10:20 a.m. Thursday, today.

Southern 7 Health Department is encouraging families to be ready for an earthquake by practicing the Drop, Cover and Hold On drill – and to practice it often.

According to www.shakeout.org, you may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake, before strong shaking knocks you down or drops something on you. 

The health department says that practicing helps you be ready to respond. 

Southern 7 Health Department offered some scenarios which families can practice.

If you are inside a building, move no more than a few steps, then Drop, Cover and Hold On:

Drop to the ground (before the earthquake drops you).

Take Cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table.

Hold On to it until the shaking stops.

Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. 

In most buildings in the United States, you are safer if you stay where you are until the shaking stops.

If you are outdoors when the shaking starts, you should find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines, then Drop, Cover and Hold On. Stay there until the shaking stops.

If you are driving, pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Once it does proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged.

Ground shaking during an earthquake is seldom the cause of injury. Move as little as possible to avoid falling debris or flying glass.  

Most injuries occur when people try to move more than a short distance during the shaking.  

Now is the time to identify safe places such as under sturdy furniture or against an interior wall, the department advises. The safest place should be within a few steps to avoid injury. 

In the past 25 years, scientists have learned that strong earthquakes in the central Mississippi Valley are not freak events, but have occurred repeatedly in the geologic past. 

The area of major earthquake activity also has frequent minor shocks and is known as the New Madrid Seismic Zone. 

The New Madrid Seismic Zone is made up of several thrust faults that stretch from Marked Tree, Ark., to Cairo at the southern tip of Illinois.

To learn more about protecting yourself during an earthquake call Southern 7 Health Department at 618-634-2297 or visit www.shakeout.org, www.southern7.org and download the Southern 7 app.