City of West Hollywood to Participate in the Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill on October 16

Following recognition of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) "National Preparedness Month" in September, the City of West Hollywood will participate in the Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 10:16 a.m. The City encourages community members to join the more-than-eight-million participants who are registered for the drill throughout the state.

The Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is part of International ShakeOut Day, which is recognized globally each year on the third Thursday of October (this year on October 16). Everyone - everywhere on the planet - should know how to protect themselves during earthquakes. Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools, businesses, and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes and to improve emergency preparedness.

During the self-led drill, participants are urged to practice how to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." Endorsed by first responders and emergency officials, the safest response to an earthquake is to immediately:

• Drop where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby;

• Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand;

• If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter;

• If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows); and

• Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs;

• Hold On until shaking stops;

• Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand and be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts; and

• No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

Although most of California's earthquakes are small in magnitude and cause little or no damage, California experiences more than 100 earthquakes per day. Many notable shakers - moderate or major earthquakes in California - have made history and are still remembered and talked about today, such as the 6.7 Northridge earthquake in 1994, and the 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake in Northern California during the 1989 baseball World Series.

While the location and time of a major earthquake are nearly impossible to predict in advance, scientists have said that a large magnitude, damaging earthquake is likely to hit along California's San Andreas Fault within the next 30 years. Damaging earthquakes can occur at any time wherever we work, live, or travel within the region and beyond.

The Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is free and anyone can take part. Participants include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies, and many other groups. To take part in the Great California ShakeOut, individuals, groups, and organizations are asked to register at https://www.shakeout.org/california. Once registered, participants will receive regular information about how to plan a drill and how to become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters. Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills will also take place in locations throughout the nation and in several countries. More than 56.8 million people around the globe are anticipated to participate.

Knowing how to prepare for - and survive - a major earthquake will be critical in California at some time in the coming years. Prepare in advance by:

• Planning on fending for yourself for at least three days, preferably for one week. Electricity, water, gas, and telephones may not be working after an earthquake. Law enforcement and fire personnel are likely to be occupied with emergencies.

• Stocking your emergency supplies. You'll need food and water (one gallon each day per person); a first-aid kit; a fire extinguisher suitable for all types of fires; flashlights; a portable radio; extra batteries, blankets, clothes, shoes, and cash (ATMs may not work); medication; an adjustable or pipe wrench to turn off gas or water, if necessary; baby food and pet food; and an alternate cooking source (barbecue or camp stove). This list can also be applied to other disasters, such as floods or wildfires.

• Deciding in advance how and where your family will reunite if separated during an earthquake. Do in-home practice drills. You might choose an out-of-the-area friend or relative that family members can call to check on you.

• Securing hazards and big appliances. This includes water heaters, major appliances, and tall/heavy furniture to prevent items from toppling. Additional hazards include storing flammable liquids and heavy objects. Breakables on low shelves and in cabinets should be secured.

• Discussing earthquake insurance with your agent. Depending on your financial situation and the value of your home, earthquake insurance may be a worthwhile investment.

Additional information and resources are available by visiting the Great California ShakeOut website at https://www.shakeout.org/california.

For more information, please contact Margarita Kustanovich, the City of West Hollywood's Emergency Management Coordinator, at (323) 848-6414 or at [email protected]. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at https://www.weho.org/email, and visit the City's calendar of meetings and events at https://www.weho.org/calendar. West Hollywood City Hall is open for walk-in services at public counters or by appointment by visiting https://www.weho.org/appointments. City Hall services are accessible by phone at (323) 848-6400 and via website at https://www.weho.org. Receive text updates by texting "WeHo" to (323) 848-5000.

For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood's Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or [email protected].