Millions to Participate In Today's Statewide Earthquake Drill

The California Earthquake Authority is staging a statewide earthquake drill today. The Great California Shake Out tests Californians on their earthquake safety savvy.

Scheduled just five days after the 21st anniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the drill challenges individuals, schools, businesses and hospitals to practice staying safe in the next, inevitable big quake.

Registered participants — numbering at 7.8 million as of this morning — are encouraged to "drop, cover, and hold on" at exactly 10:21 a.m. on Oct. 21. In the event of a real temblor, millions of people would feel the quake at the same time. Today's synchronized drill highlights this fact.

So far, 307,194 Alameda County residents plan to participate in the drill, which can include ducking under a table, checking the utilities, and inspecting the structure of a house, school or office.

To learn more about the ShakeOut, and to register to be included in the official participation head count, visit www.shakeout.org.