Southern California Participates in Statewide Earthquake Drill

On Thursday, October 17, Southern California residents and institutions participated in a statewide earthquake preparedness drill, known as The Great California ShakeOut. The exercise, currently in its 16th year, took place at 10:17 a.m. and aimed to reinforce the “drop, cover, and hold on” routine among participants throughout the region.

According to ShakeOut.org, the annual drill is designed to help Californians prepare for significant seismic events, allowing them to practice crucial safety measures. “What we do to prepare now, before the next big earthquake, will determine how well we can survive and recover,” the organization’s statement reads, emphasizing the drill’s importance.

The event observed participation from a diverse range of sectors including government offices, businesses, and schools. Reportedly, over 10.5 million Californians participated in the drill, with significant involvement from approximately 3.4 million individuals in Los Angeles County and 954,000 in Orange County.

Prominent municipalities participating in the event included El Segundo, Arcadia, Calabasas, Lakewood, Lancaster, Hawthorne, Glendora, Costa Mesa, Lake Forest, Buena Park, Torrance, Paramount, Santa Clarita, Seal Beach, San Clemente, Brea, Garden Grove, Newport Beach, West Hollywood, and Monrovia. In addition to local governments, educational institutions such as California State University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California also took part in the drill.

The Metrolink commuter rail system marked the drill by slowing all trains at precisely 10:17 a.m., simulating a response to an earthquake scenario. Additionally, the Orange County Sheriff's Department tested its emergency mass notification system, AlertOC, by sending a test emergency message to mobile devices and home phones.

Officials underscored the potential consequences of a seismic event involving a 7.8-magnitude or larger earthquake along the San Andreas Fault. The U.S. Geological Survey suggests that such an earthquake could lead to significant destruction, including an estimated 2,000 fatalities, tens of thousands of injuries, and over $200 billion in damage, with seismic movement spreading over hundreds of miles.

Reflecting on past events, the recent drill revisited concerns raised by the 6.4- and 7.1-magnitude earthquakes that impacted Ridgecrest in July 2019. Residents are encouraged to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours post-disaster, with emergency kits containing a first-aid kit, essential medications, and sufficient food and water supplies for each household member.