More than 370,000 Oregonians will drop, cover, and hold on Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m. The Great ShakeOut is a worldwide earthquake drill aimed at helping individuals prepare for an earthquake. Businesses, schools, individuals and state agencies throughout Oregon are scheduled to participate. In conjunction with the Great ShakeOut, 150 of the state’s top business leaders will take part in the 7×24 Preparedness Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 16 at Camp Withycombe, 15300 SE Minuteman Way, Clackamas, Ore. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management will brief executives on how to prepare for a Cascadia event and discus its direct impact on the business community. “We will focus on our State’s preparedness for a major earthquake and how we can work with businesses and community leaders to prepare organizations for a disaster,” said Dave Stuckey, director, Oregon Office of Emergency Management. Oregon is located in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 600 mile fault line stretching from British Columbia to California. Experts predict a major 9.0 or higher earthquake could strike our state within the next 50 years. The ShakeOut provides an opportunity for individuals to practice what they would do in an earthquake. During the drill participants will drop, cover, and hold on under a desk or table for one minute just as they would do in a real earthquake. Interested media can view the drill at various locations on Oct. 16. Portland Public Schools will participate in the Great ShakeOut. Media is welcome at Creston School, 4701 SE Bush St., Portland. The drill at Creston School will begin at 10:00 a.m. The American Red Cross will hold the ShakeOut drill at 10:16 a.m. at their Portland headquarters at 3131 N Vancouver Ave, Portland. The American Red Cross is also sponsoring the “ShakeOut Selfie contest”. Snap a shot of yourself taking part in the drill and post on Twitter and tag @RedCrossCascade using the hashtag #ShakeOutSelfie, and you will have a chance to win a free emergency kit. While most will take part in the ShakeOut on Oct. 16, you can register now and pick a later date to fit your schedule, all registrations prior to Dec. 31 are eligible. Register now for the Great ShakeOut at www.shakeout.org/oregon. More information on the ShakeOut selfie contest can be found here: http://www.redcross.org/news/article/or/portland/Great-ShakeOut-Selfies-Contest-2014
