The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Mississippians to take part in the ‘Great ShakeOut’ earthquake drill Thursday at 10:15 a.m.

During the self-led drill, participants will practice the three essential actions to take during an earthquake — drop, cover and hold on.

1. DROP to the ground.
2. Take COVER under a sturdy table or desk if possible, protecting your head and neck.
3. HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

To take part in the ‘Great ShakeOut’, individuals and organizations are asked to register at www.shakeout.org/. Once registered, participants will receive more information on how to plan their drill and additional earthquake preparedness tips.

According to the Great ShakeOut website, over 11 million people have registered to participate in the United States, which includes over 200,000 Mississippians. Additionally, over 150 Mississippi schools have registered to take part in the drill. MEMA has partnered with several of these schools to encourage earthquake preparedness among younger individuals.

Although only a small number of earthquakes have been centered in Mississippi, the state has been affected by numerous shocks located in neighboring states particularly along the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which is why earthquake preparedness is especially important for Mississippians.