The big earthquake is on its way.
According to the Sciencedaily website, California has more than a 99 percent chance of having a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake within the next 30 years, which is about the size of the earthquake that hit Haiti last year.
In addition, more than 220,000 people died with about 1.5 million people becoming homeless in Haiti.
To prepare for this big earthquake, EC will be participating in The Great California ShakeOut next Thursday.
The Great California ShakeOut is a statewide earthquake drill that will inform the public about being prepared for an earthquake. According to The Great California ShakeOut website, it is the largest earthquake drill ever.
“(At 10:20 a.m) Sirens will go off and everyone is to duck, cover and hold on,” Rocky Bonura, director of safety and health, said.
When the “shaking stops” students will be escorted out by a emergency building leader that will take them to a safety zone. When the safety leaders declare the buildings are safe, students will be allowed back into the building, Bonura said.
Last year, 7.9 million Californians participated in this event, according to the official California ShakeOut website.
EC has been participating in the ShakeOut for the last three years, Bonura said.
According to the Shakeout website, the goal of this drill is to practice how to protect not only ourselves, but our family, friends and coworkers; its goal also is for everyone to be prepared and to prevent disasters from being catastrophes.
“It is always better to be prepared than to have chaos,” Jill Diaz, 22, nursing major, said.
For those EC students who are not prepared for an earthquake, Bonura suggest to get under something sturdy.
Although Bonura feels confident that students know what to do, some students disagree.
“I don’t think I am prepared, I will probably panic,” Julie Gonzalez, 21, sociology major, said.
For more information, interested people can visit the Great California ShakeOut website for tips on earthquake preparedness.
“Students should plan ahead and not wait until it happens,” William Lagos, 19, math major, said.
