Lynchburg, VA - Thousands of Virginians took part in the Great
SouthEast ShakeOut Thursday. This was the first earthquake drill to span
across five states in the Southeast and Washington D.C.
It was
all spurred from the quake that hit in August 2011, a force of nature
that taught a lot of us that we just don't know what to do when one
hits.
Governor Bob McDonnell suggested more than just schools get
involved. McDonnell encouraged everyone, individuals, families and
businesses to take part.
The school administrators at Dunbar Middle School feel the next time an earthquake happens, they'll be ready.
"Drop it to the floor," said Kacey Anderson, assistant principal of Dunbar Middle.
It's a move that's sweeping the Southeast.
"Cover with one hand," said Anderson.
On Thursday at 10:18 a.m.. her classroom took part in the drill, and Anderson led the exercise.
Folks all over Virginia and beyond were doing the shakeout.
"This
time we're going to be prepared. We're going to make sure that our
students know first and foremost, faculty and staff, and hopefully
spread it to the community: drop, cover and hold on," said Anderson.
The ShakeOut
is an opportunity to learn and practice the safe response to an
earthquake. Last year's 5.8 magnitude quake caught many off guard.
Seventh Grader Janiya Harris was sitting in class.
"Chairs were rattling and everything was moving and people were screaming," said Harris.
"We had a situation where we were not sure what to do," said Anderson.
But now, they have a 3-step formula: drop, cover and hold on.
Harris even managed to save the class pet hamster.
"We
now have a plan in place. We know where we need to go and what we need
to do. I think it's a great thing. you can never be too prepared," said
Anderson.
Administrators also went door to door to make sure
students did the drill properly. Folks in Georgia, South Carolina, North
Carolina and Maryland also participated in the ShakeOut.
