Six Days Until California Hosts Massive Earthquake Drill

by Patch Staff

Schools in Newark California will be participating in what may be the world's largest earthquake drill next week. The goal is to teach students how to survive a natural disaster by imparting a three-step survival strategy. 

The phrase used to teach it to them is: "Drop! Cover! Hold On!" 

They will learn this during an event called The Great California ShakeOut. It is essentially a massive earthquake drill. 

About 9.3 million people have registered to participate in the event, according to The ShakeOut's website. It started in 2008 and reverberated throughout the world. This year, more than 23 million people around the globe will be participating in the earthquake drill that starts at 10:17 a.m. on October 17.

While the event is supported by funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, organizers told Patch that it will still take place, despite the federal government's inability to function.  The U.S. Geological Survey, the California Earthquake Authority and the American Red Cross also helped coordinate the event.

More than 300,000 people in Alameda County will be doing what we here in the office are calling "The California Three Step." (The editor of this publication is from Texas, a land notorious for its two-step dances.) 

Newark Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Dave Marken said local public schools will also participate. 

Do you think it's a good survival strategy?