Drop, Cover and Hold for Earthquake Awareness

On Tuesday, the S.C. Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service sponsor a state-wide earthquake drill as part of S.C. Earthquake Awareness Week, which begins Sunday.

At 9:30 a.m., the NWS will initiate a tone alert that will be heard on all NOAA weather radios. Drill participants are encouraged to “drop, cover and hold” for one minute upon receiving the alert.

Earthquakes can occur without warning and can cause catastrophic damages and loss of life if they are of great magnitude, according to a statement released by Dorchester County.

The county's largest town, Summerville, was the epicenter of the largest earthquake to ever strike the eastern United States. In August of 1886, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook the region.

Last month, . 

Currently 15-20 tremors are recorded every year statewide. SCEMD estimates that if an earthquake as powerful as the one in 1886 were to occur today, the results would be catastrophic to the entire southeast region of the country. .

Officials recommend to be prepared to be without services for 72 hours if a big one strikes. Here is a list of recommended items to keep on hand in case of an earthquake:

• Three gallon of water for each person for drinking and sanitation 
• A three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• First Aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help 
• Air filter, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place 
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation 
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities 
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) 
• Local maps 
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Here is what SCEMD recommends citizens doing during a major earthquake if you're indoors:

• DROP to the ground,
• take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture,
• and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. 

If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.

Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway.

Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

If you’re outdoors:

• Stay there,
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires,
• And, once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. 

The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls.

Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

Aftershocks are common after large-scale earthquakes and can be of the same intensity or less.

For more information on earthquakes in South Carolina, you can visit the State Emergency Management website and download a copy of the official South Carolina Earthquake Guide.