How prepared are you for a natural disaster?
Emergency preparedness officials are urging participation in the upcoming Great Central U.S. "ShakeOut" earthquake drill.
Missourians are among the residents of 14 central states that could be affected by a New Madrid Seismic Zone earthquake. They are urged to join the more than 2.5 million people from the central states to sign up for the drill.
Participants who register at www.shakeout.org/centralus will receive information on earthquake preparedness and safety, as well as regular updates on the drill, which will take place next week.
During the 10:20 a.m. drill on Thursday, Oct. 20, participants will practice a three-step exercise.
Drop to your hands and knees, under a table or desk if you can.
Cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
Hold on until the shaking stops.
Officials say Drop, Cover, Hold On is the best protection from falling debris, which is the most likely cause of injury during an earthquake in developed nations with modern building standards.
Missouri is no stranger to earthquakes. Officials report about 200 shocks are detected every year in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, although, thankfully, none have rivaled the magnitude of the major quakes experienced in southeast Missouri in 1811-12.
Nevertheless, officials caution that a major earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone would affect all states east of the Rocky Mountains.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew on the East Coast, a North Carolina resident told a news reporter, "I lost everything I own to the flooding, but I'm still here."
In a natural disaster, survival is the most important outcome.
Boost your chances of surviving an earthquake by participating in the "ShakeOut" drill on Thursday.