Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill Thursday

The Great ShakeOut Day is THIS Thursday, October 21! It’s an annual statewide earthquake drill providing an opportunity for families, friends, and businesses to practice simple, but critical, safety steps that can keep them safe during an earthquake, such as to drop, cover, and hold on. What we do to prepare now, before the next big earthquake, will determine how well we can survive and recover.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to make many adaptations for home, work, and school — all while learning a lot. As you plan for ShakeOut this year, consider: When was the last time you checked on your disaster supplies? Have you “Secured Your Space” to prevent damage and injury? What changes are there to your emergency plans and contacts? 

Learn more and register to participate at https://www.shakeout.org/, or locally with Santa Barbara County Foodbank at www.FoodbankSBC.org/GreatShakeout21/SignUp.

Earthquake Warning California

The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) recently launched the first ever statewide public earthquake warning system, Earthquake Warning California, designed to give California residents crucial seconds to take cover before they feel shaking. Earthquake Warning California uses ground motion sensors from across the state to detect earthquakes before humans can feel them and can notify Californians to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in advance of an earthquake. 

This year, Cal OES is urging Californians to join in the Great California ShakeOut and download the free MyShake App to receive earthquake warnings. The MyShake App is available for FREE from the Apple App and Google Play stores. To receive earthquake warnings, individuals and family members can download the app and make sure settings are adjusted to receive emergency alerts, including turning location settings to “always on” so that the app technology can connect with nearby ground sensors in the event of shaking.

Earthquake Warning California also includes Android Earthquake Alerts that are built into new and updated Android devices and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) for WEA-capable mobile devices. Cal OES encourages individuals with WEA-capable mobile devices to still download the MyShake App, since the MyShake App and Android Earthquake Alerts are issued when a magnitude 4.5 earthquake is anticipated, while WEAs will alert users when a 5.0 magnitude earthquake is expected.

To learn more about Earthquake Warning California, the MyShake App, or the other earthquake warning resources, visit earthquake.ca.gov.

For Californians who live in an area that could be impacted by an earthquake, preparation is vital, as these events can strike suddenly, at any time, with little warning. Residents can visit My Hazards to see if they live or work in an area prone to earthquakes.