With the ever-present threat of natural disasters, Oregon's authorities call on the community to brace for seismic activity. Oregonians are rallying behind Governor Tina Kotek's call to join the statewide earthquake drill, known as the Great Oregon ShakeOut, scheduled for October 17 at 10:17 a.m. This initiative, prompted by the looming danger that the Cascadia Subduction Zone represents, is a stark reminder of the potential for a 9.0 or higher magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami along the Pacific Coast.
The upcoming drill is a practical exercise that underscores the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" protocol. Participants should drop onto their hands and knees, seek cover from falling debris by sheltering under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on until the shaking ceases. In a statement detailed by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, Erin McMahon, Director of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, stressed that "Understanding what to do in the first few moments of an earthquake can mean the difference between surviving or not." The drill will last for 60 seconds, reflecting the critical initial moments following the onset of an earthquake.
More than half a million residents are expected to participate in the Great Oregon ShakeOut, a worldwide movement promoting earthquake readiness. Schools, businesses, families, and individuals throughout Oregon are pledging to join the effort. The drill also serves as a necessary prompt for Oregonians to update their emergency preparedness plans and supplies.