The Great Washington ShakeOut, essentially an earthquake drill for communities, families, businesses and schools to practice their drop, cover and hold on skills was featured by the Seattle Public Schools on Oct 19. The drill at Genesee Hill School involved 4th graders who also had a chance to really learn about preparedness and the importance of emergency supplies.
The Washington Emergency Management Division is no longer recommending residents be three days prepared, but, instead, be two weeks ready – in case of a big earthquake. Some communities may need even more emergency supplies.
More than 600,000 students teachers and school staff across the state signed up for the annual ShakeOut event.
Students are advised to get under their desks during an actual earthquake and hold on. When the shaking has stopped, they are asked to remain as quiet as possible and listen to the adult in the room. While they did not evacuate the building in the drill, that's a standard practice for these kinds of events.
Genesee Hill is one of the district's newest schools, opening in 2016 and combining the student bodies of the former Genesee Hill and Schmitz Park Elementary schools. It is built to the highest earthquake standards with 400 steel pins running underneath and through the foundation for strength and stability.
Last year, more than 1.1 million residents signed up for the state’s largest earthquake drill.
Preparedness will be key in surviving the next big earthquake to hit the Pacific Northwest. That means being prepared for what you need and where you live – with up to two weeks’ worth of supplies and an emergency “go” kit. For those living on the coast, know your evacuation routes and the warning signs for tsunamis – including how NOAA Weather Radios work and the coastal sirens.
This is Washington State’s sixth year of participation in the Great ShakeOut initiative.
New this year, middle school and high school students are creating videos to show the best ways to drop, cover and hold on. Prizes are being awarded by the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup.
