Great Rocky Mountain Shakeout: Statewide earthquake drill today
Montana participates today in its first-ever statewide earthquake drill, hoping to help residents know what to do when the ground starts to shake.
The Great Rocky Mountain Shake Out drill takes place at 10:23 a.m. today. People are asked to drop, cover and hold on at the time of the drill.
According to organizers, more than 87,000 Montana residents registered to participate. That includes state of Montana agencies, public and private schools, colleges and universities, private businesses and health care providers.
A number of schools, some individual families, Flathead City-County Health Department, Flathead County Office of Emergency Services and Kalispell Regional Healthcare are among the participants registered in Flathead County.
Wyoming and Colorado — other seismically active states in the Rocky Mountains — hosted drills last week. Organizers offer the following tips for getting through an earthquake safely:
v If you are inside a building, move no more than a few steps then drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy desk or table and hold on until shaking stops.
v If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines, then drop, cover and hold on and stay there until shaking stops.
v If you are driving, pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until shaking stops. Once it stops, proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps that might be damaged.
v Ground shaking during an earthquake is seldom the cause of injury. Most injuries and deaths are caused by collapsing walls and roofs, flying glass and falling objects. Look around you now, before an earthquake. Identify safe places such as under a sturdy piece of furniture or against an interior wall in your home, office or school so that when the shaking starts you can respond quickly. An immediate response to move to the safe place can save lives. And that safe place should be within a few steps to avoid injury from flying debris.
To learn more about the Great Rocky Mountain Shake Out or register, visit www.shakeout.org/rockymountain.