Great Shakeout tests earthquake preparedness

Drop, cover and hold on!

“I kinda started shaking,” said J.C. Crumpton student Jennifer Fontano.

“I don’t know I was like so excited and shaky,” said 5 th grader Cindy Fernandez.

At 10:20 a.m. students at J.C. Crumpton in Marina took part in the Great ShakeOut to prepare for sometimes deadly earthquakes.

“You don’t know when it could happen,” said Jasmine Perez, J.C. Crumpton student. “A big one could happen, a small one.”

“This is why we should always be prepared at school, at home, everywhere actually,” said classmate Sugen Fonseca.

This exercise drill is done worldwide by at least 10 million people in and outdoors.

At J.C. Crumpton students cycle through practicing fire, intruder and earthquake drills every month.

“We did awesome out here,” said Sara Hudons, J.C. Crumpton Principal. “All the students were walking in line, we had subs on campus today and they had all of their green cards. It was great it went flawlessly.”

With 2000 known faults in California, the golden state has been coined earthquake country. The Northridge and Loma Prieta earthquakes are notable ones.

“It has been a number of years since we’ve had a large one,” said Michelle Averill, CEO of the Central Coast Chapter American Red Cross.

Scientists warn there is a 99 percent chance of a 6.7 or greater earthquake hitting California in the next 30 years. The American Red Cross recommends knowing what to do before after an earthquake.

“Making sure you have plenty of water to get you through three days and you know canned food,” said Averill. “Things that are nonperishable and a first aid kit.”

Which are all resources that might not be available once things stop shaking.

“Grocery stores, they’re shelves get depleted very fast,” said Averill.