Nearly 1M San Diegans Registered For Great California ShakeOut Event

SAN DIEGO, CA — Nearly a million people in San Diego County are scheduled to participate in Thursday's Great California ShakeOut event.

As of Thursday morning, a total of 985,352 participants are registered in the San Diego region to stop everything for a minute to "drop, cover and hold on" at 10:16 a.m. More than 10.4 million Californians are registered for the statewide earthquake preparedness drill, which is now in its 17th year.

About 10.6 million people registered statewide to take part in last year's event. The annual earthquake safety drill began in 2008.

"What we do to prepare now, before the next big earthquake, will determine how well we can survive and recover," according to a statement posted on ShakeOut.org. "Great ShakeOut earthquake drills are a once-a-year chance for everyone to practice 'drop, cover, and hold on' and learn other earthquake safety tips."

A regional event will be held from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Waterfront Park in Downtown San Diego.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services will bring a "shake trailer" to the event, allowing community members to experience a simulated earthquake of up to 7.0 magnitude. The public will also be able to get information about earthquake early-warning technology, preparedness tips and recommended life-saving actions.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there is a 99% chance of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake striking California before 2044. San Diego County has a 93% chance of a major earthquake within 50 kilometers of the region within the next 50 years.

The Rose Canyon Fault, which runs along the coast from La Jolla to Downtown, has an 18% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake occurring in the next 30 years, according to the city of San Diego's Office of Emergency Services.

"This annual event is a perfect reminder to make sure your family and loved ones have an emergency plan," said Christopher Heiser, executive director of the city's Office of Emergency Services. "Whether it's an earthquake, wildfire, flood, power outage or any other disaster, your home should be adequately supplied in case of an emergency. Resources are available to help San Diegans create their individual emergency plans and be prepared for a disaster."

Municipalities whose employees will be involved in the annual event include Imperial Beach, National City, Oceanside, Santee, Solana Beach and the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department. The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services will also take park, as well as the San Diego Public Library.

Virtually all local elementary and high school districts are expected to participate in the event, along with California State University and San Diego Community College District campuses, UC San Diego and the University of San Diego.

The Great ShakeOut is observed annually on Oct. 16 in remembrance of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The magnitude 6.9 quake resulted in 63 deaths, thousands injured and displaced, and widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Residents should have an emergency plan to identify evacuation routes and safe meet-up locations, as well as an emergency preparedness kit that can sustain them for at least 72 hours. The kit should include water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, a battery-operated radio, and other essential items, such as medications, cash, and necessities for children and pets.