News Summary
Nearly 1 million residents of San Diego County, totaling 980,458, are set to participate in the Great California ShakeOut earthquake preparedness drill. Scheduled for October 16 at 10:16 a.m., this year marks the 17th annual event, aiming to enhance public safety. Participants will practice earthquake safety methods and learn about emergency preparedness, including critical information on earthquake early warning technology. Officials stress the importance of being ready for potential earthquakes, as previous events have shown the significant risk to community safety.
San Diego, California – Nearly a million San Diego County residents, totaling 980,458 participants, are set to participate in the Great California ShakeOut earthquake preparedness drill. This year’s drill is scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 16, at 10:16 a.m., marking the 17th annual Great California ShakeOut event. The statewide initiative aims to enhance earthquake preparedness, with more than 10.3 million Californians registered to take part across the state.
Last year, approximately 10.6 million Californians registered for the event. Since its inception in 2008, the Great California ShakeOut has served as a critical reminder for residents to prepare for potential earthquakes. This year, the drill will focus on practicing the “drop, cover, and hold on” method during an earthquake scenario.
In addition to the drills, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will set up a “shake trailer” at Waterfront Park from 6 a.m. to noon to simulate a 7.0 magnitude earthquake for the public. Attendees will also have the opportunity to receive important information about earthquake early warning technology, preparedness tips, and other life-saving actions.
Participation and Local Involvement
Municipalities throughout San Diego County are actively participating in the event, including Imperial Beach, National City, Oceanside, Santee, Solana Beach, and the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, along with many local schools and universities. The goal of the drill is to emphasize safety precautions in the event of a significant seismic event, particularly a potential 7.8 magnitude earthquake along the southernmost portion of the San Andreas fault.
An earthquake of this magnitude could generate movement waves across hundreds of miles, lasting over four minutes. Experts predict that such an event could result in approximately 2,000 fatalities, tens of thousands of injuries, and over $200 billion in damages. The consequences would be about 50 times more intense than the Northridge earthquake that struck on January 17, 1994. Following the initial quake, hundreds of aftershocks could occur, with some being nearly as powerful.
Preparedness Recommendations
Officials advise Californians to be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours following a disaster. This includes having essential supplies such as a first-aid kit, medications, food, and one gallon of water per person per day. Additionally, homeowners and renters are encouraged to know how to shut off their gas in case of leaks after an earthquake.
The use of the MyShake app, featuring ShakeAlert—the nation’s first earthquake early warning system—has been recommended by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to further enhance preparedness efforts.
Additional Information
This year’s Great California ShakeOut is not only a reminder of the seismic risks faced by Californians but also serves as a comprehensive guide for improving personal and community safety. In light of the potential dangers, authorities stress the importance of participating in the drill to ensure everyone knows how to remain safe during an earthquake.
As the Great California ShakeOut approaches, residents are encouraged to take these warnings seriously. By engaging in this exercise, they contribute to a collective effort in minimizing risks associated with earthquakes and safeguarding themselves and their families.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8: Nearly a Million San Diegans Registered for Great California ShakeOut
- Times of San Diego: Are You Prepared? Great California ShakeOut of 2024
- County News Center: Do the Drill for Earthquake Safety and Survival
- NBC San Diego: Experience a 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake with a Simulator
- Wikipedia: Earthquake
- Google Search: earthquake preparedness
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
