Great Shakeout Comes Just in Time

Practice was at 10:20 a.m., but the real thing showed up twice later in the day.

On the same day as the Great California Shakeout, a that drew participation from more than 8.5 million Californians, two earthquakes struck around Hayward Fault, providing an all-too-real reminder that such drills happen for a reason.

A slew of local officials, organizations and residents participated in the Shakeout, including , the police and fire departments, all six schools within the  and a number of local residents.  employees read a public service announcement about the drop, cover and hold on drill to its shoppers at 10:20 a.m.

But just four hours later, a 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck along the Hayward fault near Berkeley, and a 3.8 magnitude quake aftershock followed at 8:16 p.m., centered just south of the UC-Berkeley campus.

Marin General Hospital hosted Northern California's only "Quake Cottage," a mobile earthquake simulator that demonstrates how an 8.0-seismic event would feel.

"You feel like you're in a cocktail shaker," said Ryan Rodriguez, the hospital's safety coordinator, of the simulator.

Workers sold emergency preparedness kits that included packs of drinking water, food rations, flashlights, radios, batteries, ponchos and everything a person might need for 72 hours after a disaster.

"You don't think it can happen here (in Marin), but it can. The entire Bay Area is susceptible to a big earthquake," Rodriguez said.

The Rodgers Creek Fault runs past Marin County and slides past the Hayward Fault. Seismologists have predicted there is a 27 percent probability of a quake of 6.7 or greater magnitude on the Rodgers Creek Fault.

"Californians have a strong tradition of practicing earthquake safety and have set a great example for the rest of us about how to prepare for disasters," FEMA Regional Administrator Nancy Ward said Wednesday. "The ShakeOut drill is a great way to get you ready for emergencies and connect with those who are also at risk for an earthquake."