Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Public Safety

Thousands Of San Diegans Participate In Great Shakeout Earthquake Drill

Thousands of San Diegans dropped, found cover and held on Thursday in the annual earthquake preparedness drill known as the Great Shakeout.

About 945,000 people in schools, government agencies, cultural institutions, hotels and other San Diego County locations were scheduled to participate, according to event organizers.

The total participation level in California was more than 10.4 million.

Advertisement

Shakeout organizers said most San Diegans live within 15 miles of a fault, including the Rose Canyon fault, which runs beneath downtown and along the coast.

Local experts believe a major breach of Rose Canyon could cause considerable damage, but it hasn't produced a large shaker since before Europeans settled the area.

Two more faults, the Elsinore and San Jacinto, cut through East San Diego County.

Geologist Pat Abbott told CBS8 that the biggest danger remained with a more famous fault farther east.

"The probabilities are, from statistical analysis, the next really big earthquake in California is expected to be the San Andreas fault to the east of us here by the Salton Sea," Abbott said at a drill hosted by the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Advertisement

San Diego is prone to feeling major earthquakes that occur elsewhere, including the magnitude-7.2 temblor on Easter Sunday 2010 that was centered south of Mexicali, and the 7.3 Landers quake in 1992 that took place in the Mojave Desert.

If a major temblor struck, officials said those affected should look for the nearest, safest place to take cover — such as under a sturdy table or desk — and protect their heads from falling items or breaking glass.

An interior wall away from windows, overhead fixtures, wall hangings or furniture that could topple over also may suffice until the shaking stops.

County officials noted that building collapses are not likely in San Diego County, so running outside is not the safest option. While running, a person could be hit by falling electrical lines, tree branches or building facades.

People already outside when a quake strikes should move away from buildings, trees and overhead power lines, then drop and cover their heads.

Emergency officials suggested that residents keep a bag packed with three days of clothes, food and water, and seven days of medications.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.