The Wahkiakum County Department of Emergency Management would like to encourage all residents to participate in The Great Washington Shake Out.

Beau Renfro, Coordinator, Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office, Department of Emergency Management, said:

You are invited to join thousands of people who will Drop, Cover and Hold On at 10:18 a.m. on October 18th in the 2012 Great Washington Shake Out!

While earthquake hazard varies from region to region, most of Washington is prone to earthquakes. You could be anywhere when an earthquake strikes: at home, work, school or even on vacation.

What we do now will determine our quality of life after our next big earthquake. Are you prepared to survive and recover quickly?

The Great Washington Shake Out is a statewide opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes: "Drop, Cover and Hold On."

You can obtain more information by visiting any of the following websites:

– The Great Washington Shake Out: http://www.shakeout.org/washington/

– Wahkiakum County D.E.M .: http://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/depts/sheriff/DepartmentofEmergencyManagement.htm

– Drop cover hold on.org: http://www.dropcoverholdon.org/