The Mercer Island School District will participate in an earthquake drill known as the Great ShakeOut on October 16 at 10:16 a.m., joining thousands of Washington students and millions of people worldwide.

At the time of the drill, students and staff will practice the “drop, cover and hold” drill before exiting buildings and lining up in established areas to ensure all students are present.

“We live in a region that is prone to earthquakes and our students know that,” said MISD Director of Transportation and Emergency Management Todd Kelsay. “Preparing for natural events like earthquakes is critical to ensuring student and staff safety in our schools.”

Students are being taught to drop to the ground, take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table and to hold on to that cover until the shaking stops. Click here for more details from The Great ShakeOut about what to do in an earthquake.

In Washington, the Great ShakeOut is being organized by a number of state agencies, including the Washington Military Emergency Management Division, the Washington State Seismic Safety Commission, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington State Emergency Management Association.