Students from North Vancouver today joined others from across the province in practicing the procedures to follow during an earthquake.
The annual Great B.C. Shakeout was held this morning, incorporating earthquake drills to prepare B.C. residents for the possibility of an earthquake hitting this seismically active region.
Here are the basic steps to follow if you feel the earth start to shake.
What to do During an Earthquake
When you feel the ground shake, immediately drop, cover and hold on.
1. Drop to your hands and knees. If you’re inside, stay inside – don’t run outdoors or to other rooms.
2. Cover your head and neck with your arm and take shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture. If there is no shelter nearby, crawl to the nearest interior corner or wall while continuing to protect your head and neck.
3. Hold on to your shelter, covering your head and neck until the shaking stops.
"ShakeOut is the world's largest earthquake drill, and more than 715,000 British Columbians are participating in our virtual exercise this year," stated Naomi Yamamoto, president of the BC Earthquake Alliance and a former North Vancouver MLA. "2020 has taught us to be ready for anything. Now is the time to update our emergency plans and test our skills during ShakeOut. By practicing our drop, cover and hold on, we can all feel safe when the earth shakes."
Click here for more information on the emergency kit essentials you should have in your home to prepare for any potential disaster.
