Submitted by East Central High School student Jake Griffin

Brianne Fox, Tara Huber, Tori Zeek shown above during the drill. submitted

(St. Leon, Ind.) - Students at East Central High School participated in the 2013 ShakeOut on Feburary 7, the anniversary of the 1812 New Madrid earthquakes. The drill is held annually at East Central High School which encourages students to practice the "drop, cover and hold on" technique as well as learn about the risk of earthquakes in Indiana.

“This was only a five-minute commitment, and it taught us how to protect ourselves in an earthquake. We received valuable information on how to prepare for an inevitable major earthquake and what actions to take before, during, and after the shaking. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards,” said Jake Griffin, a senior at East Central.

The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is the largest earthquake drill ever, organized to inspire central U.S. residents to get ready for big earthquakes and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes. The ShakeOut drill occurred in businesses and public spaces alike throughout the central U.S. at 10:15 a.m. on February 7, 2012. Despite the fact that many people in this part of the country haven’t experienced many earthquakes, there is a 25 to 40 percent probability of a damaging earthquake in the central U.S. within a 50-year span. The proper response to an earthquake involved students dropping to the ground, taking cover under a sturdy desk or table, and holding onto it until the shaking stops.

Students were also given information on what to do if they are outdoors when the shaking starts. You should find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines, then Drop, Cover and Hold On. Stay there until the shaking stops. If you are driving, pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged. Ground shaking during an earthquake is seldom the cause of injury. Most earthquake-related injuries and deaths are caused by collapsing walls and roofs, flying glass and falling objects. It is extremely important for a person to move as little as possible to reach the place of safety he or she has identified because most injuries occur when people try to move.

The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is coordinated by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium, FEMA, the U.S. Geological Survey and other partners. States participating include Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee.