Just over one year ago, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake was felt throughout the Comox Valley (and beyond).
That heightened the need for everyone to participate in the BC Earthquake Alliance Society’s third annual provincewide earthquake drill — the Great BC ShakeOut — at 10:18 a.m. this Thursday.
The drill is intended to enhance public awareness of the earthquake hazard in B.C. and to encourage personal preparedness. The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is committed to participating in this drill and would like all residents, businesses, agencies and associations to participate, too. Over 400,000 British Columbians have registered since the Great BC ShakeOut started.
School classes, families, office staff or individuals can participate by using the Drop, Cover and Hold On method:
• Drop to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!).
• Take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table.
• Hold on to it until the shaking stops (approximately two minutes).
Natural Resources Canada (NRC) has identified B.C. as being located in one of the most seismically active regions in the country. The NRC advises that the threat of a major earthquake is real, and that in other parts of the world an increased awareness about what to do during an earthquake had been proven to reduce injuries and deaths.
The Great British Columbia ShakeOut drill is modeled after the highly successful California ShakeOut drill, now in its fourthyear. The CVRD encourages individuals and organizations to register at www.shakeoutbc.ca to be counted in the drill and to access ShakeOut BC materials to learn more about emergency preparedness.
For more information, visit www.shakeoutbc.ca or e-mail info@shakeoutbc.ca.
— Comox Valley Regional District