WARSAW — The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is set for 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Oct.15, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security encourages all Hoosiers to register and participate in this opportunity to practice earthquake safety.

Indiana is exposed to a threat of earthquakes along the New Madrid Seismic Zone, 180 miles southwest of Evansville, and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, encompassing parts of southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana.

Practicing is critical to safety in the event of an earthquake and the ShakeOut educates participants on how to prepare. Next week, more than 39 million participants worldwide – 2.8 million in the central U.S. – will simultaneously practice the recommended response to an earthquake:

• Drop to the ground
• Take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table
• Hold on until the shaking stops

Registered ShakeOut participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and how to create a dialogue with others about earthquake preparedness. IDHS asks that participants register and, at the minimum, practice the “drop, cover and hold on” method at or close to the specified time. Registration is free and open to everyone.

In addition to practicing drop, cover and hold on, IDHS encourages Hoosiers to check their homes and workplaces for items that could become dangerous in an earthquake, such as top-heavy furniture or appliances. Secure as many items as possible.

Indiana’s participation in the ShakeOut is led by local emergency management agencies, IDHS, the Indiana Geological Survey, the Indiana Department of Education, the Central United States Earthquake Consortium, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Geological Survey.

Indiana leads the Central U.S. region with more than 675,000 registrants. Other states in the region include Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.

For more information about the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut and to register, click here.