New Zealand ShakeOut is our national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi, and this year it is taking place at 9.30am on Thursday 28 October 2021.
ShakeOut gives participants the opportunity to practice the right action to take during an earthquake – Drop, Cover, Hold – and to practice a tsunami hīkoi if you live by the coast (by doing a walk that takes you along your tsunami evacuation route that leads you either inland, or to higher ground).
This year with Auckland’s COVID-19 restrictions in place, Auckland Emergency Management is encouraging everyone to continue to safely practice ShakeOut whether you are in the office, working or learning from home or relaxing with your bubble, but recommend only practising the tsunami hīkoi if Alert Level restrictions allow.
“We want to make sure that Aucklander’s can participate in ShakeOut safely at home, without breaking the COVID-19 Alert Level restrictions in place for the Auckland region.” Says Auckland Emergency Management General Manager, Kate Crawford.
All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes and all of our coastlines are at risk of a tsunami. Knowing the right immediate action to take can prevent injury and save lives.
So far, a total of over 531,000 households, schools and businesses have signed up nationwide, with 10 per cent of Auckland’s population having registered.
Councillor Sharon Stewart, Chair of the Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management Committee, encourages the community to learn more about how they can best prepare for an emergency “ShakeOut is an opportunity for friends, families, household bubbles and workplaces to think about their preparedness, and to have a conversation about what to do in an emergency, and how to stay informed. You can find tools to help you plan for emergencies on the Auckland Emergency Management website.”
This might include making an emergency plan, knowing where to get information during an emergency, preparing a grab bag or familiarising yourself with the tsunami evacuation zones around your home or workplace.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is encouraging all household bubbles, schools, and organisations to officially sign up for ShakeOut 2021, so if you haven’t done so already, head to the Get Ready Website to sign up today.
Drop, Cover, Hold
In an earthquake, Drop, Cover, Hold. It stops you being knocked over, makes you a smaller target for falling and flying objects, and protects your head, neck and vital organs.
- DROP down on your hands and knees. This protects you from falling but lets you move if you need to.
- COVER your head and neck (or your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk (if it is within a few steps of you).
If there is no shelter nearby and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
- HOLD on to your shelter (or your position to protect your head and neck) until the shaking stops. If the shaking shifts your shelter around, move with it.
If there is no shelter near you, crawl to an inside corner of the room and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
Do not run outside or stand in a doorway. Many people are injured while trying to move during the shaking. It is safer to Drop, Cover, and Hold until the shaking is over.
