The Great CA Shakeout: Is Diamond Bar & Walnut Earthquake Ready?

DIAMOND BAR, CA — Drop, cover and hold on... the Great California ShakeOut Day is Thursday and it begs an important question: Are you ready for an earthquake?

If not, fear not — ShakeOut Day is the largest-ever earthquake drill in California and designed to get California residents prepared for the chance of a natural disaster, according to the event's website. The Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill is at 10:21 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21.

To participate in the Great California ShakeOut Day, the event's website has a thorough list of how individuals, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, community groups, scouts and others can participate in the ShakeOut. People are encouraged by the website to be a part of the count by registering for the largest-ever earthquake drill as it takes place across the state and nation.

To date, there are 3,047,065 people registered for the shakeout along the Southern California Coast.

According to the Great California ShakeOut's website, many families hold surprise earthquake drills in their households in an effort to teach their young ones to respond immediately to a quake. Families also can teach their children how to give medical attention to themselves and others, how to inspect the building structure of their home and how to create an emergency list in the event of a natural disaster.

The Great California ShakeOut: How to Participate:

1. Drop, cover and hold on. On Thursday, Oct. 21 at 10:21 a.m., the website suggests drill participants to drop the ground, take cover under a table or desk and hold on as if a major earthquake were happening. It is important to practice now so you can immediately protect yourself during earthquakes. The website features an information page on what to do if you are in bed, outside, driving or in a tall building when an earthquake hits.
2. Use your imagination. While you are participating in the drill, wherever you are, look around and imagine what would happen if a major earthquake were occurring. What would fall on you or others? What would be damaged?
3. Text first, talk second. Once the "earthquake" has ended, send text messages to your friends and loved ones to make sure they're alright. The website suggests texting before calling, as texting enables you to send a mass text message and reach more people in a shorter amount of time.

For more resources on what to do in the event of an earthquake, visit the Great California ShakeOut's website.