‘Great California Shakeout’ To Prepare Bay Area Residents For Next Big Quake

By sf-admin • 11 years ago • Public Safety

Many Bay Area residents will “drop, cover and hold on” as part of a statewide earthquake drill this morning on the 24th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake.

The 6.9-magnitude temblor struck the region on Oct. 17, 1989.

Sixty-three people were killed, and more than 3,700 injuries were reported in the aftermath of the quake.

Today, schools, businesses, community groups and other organizations are participating in the Great California Shakeout to mark the anniversary and prepare for the next big quake.

The drill, which takes place at 10:17 a.m., is known as one of the biggest in the world, with millions dropping to the ground, taking cover under a sturdy object and holding on.

Students at San Francisco’s Sunset Elementary School on 41st Avenue will be among those taking part.

They will be joined by San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, Deputy Police Chief Lyn Tomioka and Supervisor Katy Tang.

In San Jose, hundreds of students will participate in the drill at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, which has an exhibit about earthquakes.

The children will be visited by a pack of “zombies” from Great America’s Halloween Haunt.

A ShakeOut drill is also planned at Hayward City Hall, and numerous other events are scheduled throughout the Bay Area.