Although infrequent, earthquakes do happen in Georgia. The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut has a multi-state earthquake drill scheduled for April 28 at 10:15 a.m. UGA’s Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness is trying to make the campus more aware of earthquake preparedness.
This project encourages participants to “drop, cover and hold on” at the specified time. Drop to the ground, take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table and hold on to it until the shaking stops.
If there isn’t a table or desk near you, drop to the ground and then if possible move to an inside corner of the building. Be in a crawling position to protect your vital organs and be ready to move if necessary, and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table-you are more likely to be injured if you try to move around during strong shaking.
These are general guidelines for most situations. Depending on where you are (in bed, driving, in a theater, etc.), you might take other actions, according to the project’s guide.
There will be no warning sounds to signal the start of the drill and Steve Harris, director of OSEP, said that there are never any warning prior to earthquakes. “Faculty, staff and students who wish to participate should simply take one minute to do so,” he said.
