Join the Shakeout: Drop. Cover. Hold On.

GREENVILLE--The Darke County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Darke County Chapter of the American Red Cross are working together to prepare for an earthquake should this event ever occur.

At 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 7, the two will are encouraging Darke Countians to take part in “Drop, Cover and Hold On” during the third annual Great Central U.S. ShakeOut. Drop, Cover and Hold On is the recommended safety action in the event of an earthquake. When an earthquake occurs:

* DROP to the ground

*Take COVER under a sturdy table or desk, if possible, and protect your head and neck

*HOLD ON until the shaking stops

The date of the ShakeOut drill coincides with the anniversary of the Feb. 7, 1812 earthquake that occurred near New Madrid, Missouri. The ShakeOut is organized by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. The state of Ohio is one of 10 associate members of the CUSEC.

To participate in the 2013 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut and learn more about earthquake safety and preparedness, visit www.ShakeOut.org/centralus. To date, more than 810,000 individuals, schools, businesses and organizations have registered.

Please just remain mindful of all hazardous weather events. Visit www.ready.gov, www.darkecountyema.org, www.redcross.org, or call 548-1444 for more information on preparing and planning for disasters.

Darke County Commissioners Mike Stegall and Mike Rhoades recently signed a resolution of intent to participate in the Great Central U.S. Shakeout and become more prepared for earthquakes and other disasters. Joining them were (standing l-r) Katie McCabe, Darke County Emergency Management; Lynne Gump, Darke County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Mindy Saylor, Darke County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.