I grew up never thinking an Earthquake in South Carolina was a possibility. In fact, I considered that the entire East Coast somewhat earthquake free. I thought it would be a fluke for an earthquake to hit.
That was until the walls began to shake during my visit to Baltimore, MD in 2011, where I felt an earthquake occurring a hour away from my home in Virginia. I was in a conference hotel ball room when the chandler began to shake. Someone said, “Run outside—into the hallway"!”. Then someone said “Run back inside the ball room—away from the windows!” I dove under a table. I had no idea what to do.
For the record—Do not run outside during an earthquake.
“The area near the exterior walls of a building is the most dangerous place to be. Windows, facades and architectural details are often the first parts of the building to collapse. To stay away from this danger zone, stay inside if you are inside and outside if you are outside. Also, shaking can be so strong that you will not be able to move far without falling down, and objects may fall or be thrown at you that you do not expect.” —http://earthquakecountry.info/dropcoverholdon/
FEMA and the USGS recommend three steps in the event of an earthquake.
- DROP to the ground,
- Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
- HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
- (more at http://www.dropcoverholdon.org/ )
On October 18, at 10:18 a.m., many businesses, schools, and Government offices are participating in the Great Shakeout. This will provide everyone an opportunity to review and practice their earthquake steps in a coordinated effort. As a homeschool Dad, I recommend that this is also an opportunity to talk to your children about what to do in an earthquake, pray for those negatively effected by earthquakes, and seek out way to help those in need of aid.
I encourage you to participate in the Great Shakeout tomorrow at 10:18.