Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security News Release
For immediate release, October 6, 2014
Contact: Elizabeth C. Duncan (208) 258-6595 or (208) 866-5969
eduncan@bhs.idaho.gov

October Is Idaho Earthquake Awareness Month

Idahoans Encouraged to Participate in the Great Idaho Shakeout October 16th

 

(Boise) Idahoans are encouraged to take action in earthquake preparedness and personal responsibility throughout the month of October. Being prepared is critically important to surviving and recovering quickly from major earthquakes. Idaho is the sixth most active state in seismic activity so it’s a matter of when, not if, an earthquake will strike. You could be anywhere when one happens: at home, at work, at school or even on vacation.

The Great Idaho Shakeout earthquake drill encourages participants to drop, cover and hold on at 10:16 A.M. (local time) October 16th. Thousands of Idahoans have already signed up to participate. For information on how to be part of a worldwide effort focusing on earthquake preparedness, go to www.shakeout.org/idaho. Participants include Idaho businesses, schools, health care organizations, volunteer and non-profit organizations to name a few. Anyone in Idaho can participate, from a single individual at their home to a small, medium or large company at the office.

Thirty-one years ago this month, the 6.9 magnitude Borah Peak earthquake caused the deaths of two children and did approximately $12.5 million in property damage. As a reminder of Idaho’s seismic risk and vulnerability, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has proclaimed this October “Idaho Earthquake Awareness Month.”

Note to reporters: The Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security is the State of Idaho’s emergency management agency. Please note that IBHS is an Idaho-specific agency, and it is not the same thing as the federal Department of Homeland Security. Within the State of Idaho organizational chart, IBHS is aligned under the State of Idaho Military Division.

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Original Release