A statewide earthquake drill is happening in Mississippi.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is encouraging all Mississippians to participate in the national “Great ShakeOut” earthquake drill on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 10:15 a.m. Organizations can register to participate here.
“Earthquakes may not be the first thing that comes to mind when talking about natural disasters in Mississippi, but they are a real hazard and pose a real threat to our state,” MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney said. “It is important that Mississippians know how to respond during an earthquake so they can act quickly to protect themselves and their families.
“The Great ShakeOut provides an excellent opportunity to learn what to do, practice those actions, and take steps to be better prepared.”
During the self-led drill, participants will practice three essential actions to take during an earthquake:
- Drop to the ground.
- Take cover under a sturdy table or desk if possible, protecting your head and neck.
- Hold on until the shaking stops.
Once registered, participants will receive instructions on how to plan their drill, as well as additional earthquake preparedness tips. According to the Great ShakeOut website, more than 18 million people have already registered to participate in this year’s exercise, including 296,000 in Mississippi.
READ MORE: Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week underway in Mississippi
Although only a small number of earthquakes have been centered in Mississippi in recent years, MEMA officials say the state has been impacted by numerous shocks located in neighboring states, particularly along the New Madrid seismic zone.
On Thanksgiving 2024, a 2.5-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Madison County, and in December 2022, a 2.5-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Booneville area.