Join the Great B.C. ShakeOut on Oct. 16 for earthquake preparedness!

Are you ready for The Big One? Surrey Schools students and staff will duck under their desks next Thursday in the Great B.C. ShakeOut, an annual earthquake drill that might just save your life when one tips the Richter scale!

At 10:16 a.m. on Oct. 16, schools across Surrey and White Rock will participate in the ShakeOut alongside nearly 500,000 British Columbians, practising vital earthquake safety procedures. These drills provide a valuable opportunity to rehearse essential safety protocols during an earthquake – such as “Drop, Cover and Hold On!” – which can make a real difference in keeping our classrooms and workplaces safe.

“While potential earthquake hazards depend on your location, everywhere in British Columbia is considered at high risk in relation to the rest of Canada,” reads the Great B.C. ShakeOut’s website. “For example, on Jan. 26, 1700, a magnitude 9 earthquake shook the entire province as well as Washington, Oregon and California, and generated a massive tsunami.”

Last year, 805,000 people provincewide took part, with millions more participating worldwide in other regional and global editions of the ShakeOut.

Participants are also encouraged to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies, while taking proactive measures to secure their environment and prevent potential damage and injuries.

For more information on the Great B.C. ShakeOut, visit shakeoutbc.ca