AFTER THE GREAT SHAKEOUT: TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN EARTHQUAKE READINESS
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20241018/after-great-shakeout-take-next-step-earthquake-readiness]


Release Date: 
October 21, 2024 

DENVER – Across the nation, more than 19 million people ‘Dropped,
Covered and Held On’ during the Great Shakeout earthquake drill last
week. This is a great time to remember the threat of earthquakes and
take actions to minimize your own risk.

Earthquakes may happen anywhere you work, live, or travel. The Great
Shakeout serves as a powerful opportunity to raise awareness of the
threat earthquakes pose. Knowing what to do when a quake happens is
important and having a plan will help you take important steps now to
keep your home and family safer.

“Earthquake mitigation, including having the latest building codes,
are invaluable in protecting your home,” said Sean McGowan,
Earthquake Program Manager in FEMA Region 8. “Taking mitigation
actions can minimize the impact an earthquake will have on a home.
These are the things you can do now to protect yourself, your loved
ones, and your property.” 

These steps are not as complicated or as expensive as it may seem and
are cheaper than recovering from an earthquake. Similar to
child-proofing a home, consider anchoring bookcases, dressers, and
appliances to wall studs. Assess your home looking for loose and heavy
items that can be secured. These simple actions can protect you, your
friends and family.

This is also a great time to check insurance coverage. In most cases,
homeowner’s insurance does not cover earthquake or flood damage.
Consider consulting with your insurance agent to see if additional
coverage may be right for you.

Millions of people live and work in earthquake-prone regions of the
United States, including here in the Intermountain West. Are you
prepared?

Learn more about the Great ShakeOut at https://www.shakeout.org/, the
Earthquake Country Alliance has tips to mitigate earthquake risk
at https://www.earthquakecountry.org/, and how to prepare for
earthquakes and other disasters at https://www.ready.gov/.