Fox Valley joins quake drill for the central US

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Michael Smart | Staff Photographer Looking across land his family farms in far west Elgin near Pingree Grove, Bob Gehrke stands in the spot that the U.S. Geological Survey pinpoints as the epicenter of Wednesday morning's earthquake. The earthquake was measured at 3.8 on the Richter Scale, and was felt as far away as Kentucky. 2/10/10

Updated: March 4, 2012 8:12AM

No, the catchphrase for the “The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut” is not shake, rattle and roll.

Try, “drop, cover and hold on.”

With apologies to songwriter Joe Turner, that’s the basic instruction for someone caught in an earthquake, and it’s the phrase of the day for those taking part in the ShakeOut
this Tuesday.

“The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut” is a multi-state earthquake drill for folks in the central part of the country. According to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, more than 150,000 Illinois residents had signed up to take part in the drill by last week. More than 250,000 Illinoisans took part in the drill last year.

About 1.2 million people in nine states in the Midwest are signed up to participate, beginning at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday.

The timing is based on the 200-year anniversary of the last of the devastating and violent earthquakes that took place along the New Madrid fault, which runs in part through central and southern Illinois, in 1811 and 1812.

Some geologists believe the New Madrid could be poised for another big shake, based on research that shows it’s possible the fault moves about every 200 to 300 years.

The Wabash Valley fault line also runs through Illinois.

Many area residents were shocked almost two years ago when a 3.8-magnitude earthquake shook for about 10 seconds in the very early morning on land in west Elgin. And Monday night, a minor earthquake beneath the city of McHenry shook local residents.

The Feb. 10, 2010, Elgin-area quake was literally an eye-opener for people in a part of the country not known for earthquakes. That also was the case earlier this year when a 5.8-magnitude earthquake shook up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

“The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut will be the perfect opportunity for families, businesses, schools and other groups to practice the ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’ protective actions they should take during an earthquake,” said Jonathon Monken, a former St. Charles resident who now is director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

The admonishment to drop, cover and hold on is basic earthquake preparation. A person is instructed to drop, take cover under a big piece of furniture, and hold on to that furniture, no matter where it moves to, during the quake.

“As with tornadoes, fire and other threats, practice is essential — which is the purpose of the ShakeOut drill,” said Kendall County Sheriff’s Deputy Craig French.

Schools, local governments and businesses across the state also will take part in the drill.

To be counted as a participant, everyone must register on the ShakeOut website at www.ShakeOut.org/centralus. Once registered, participants receive ShakeOut news and other information about earthquakes and preparedness.

In addition to registration, the ShakeOut website is packed with free earthquake information and resources for download. Participants will find fact sheets, drill manuals and broadcasts, fliers, videos and other materials that will make it easy to participate in the ShakeOut.

More information is available from Kate Mackz with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency at kate.mackz@illinois.gov or 217-785-9925.