Individuals and communities throughout the area will participate in the Great Southeast
Shakeout earthquake drill on October 20 at 10:20 a.m.
During the self-led drill, participants practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On:
1. DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being
knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.
2. COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand
• If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter
• If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)
• Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs
3. HOLD ON until shaking stops
• Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it
shifts
• No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.
Caldwell County Emergency Management and the North Carolina Division of Emergency
Management invite individuals and families, schools, businesses, non-profit organizations, and
faith-based organizations to promote earthquake preparedness by registering for the drill at
https://bit.ly/3EgsaBy and encouraging partners to participate.
