Millions Take Part in Earthquake Drill

Los Angeles (myFOXla.com) - Thousands of Southland residents heeded the warning to "drop, cover and hold on" today as the region held its second annual Great Southern California ShakeOut earthquake drill.

The exercise, which began at 10:15 a.m., was designed to help everyone learn how to survive the magnitude-7.8 earthquake seismology experts predict will eventually hit the area. The scenario was based on scientists' best predictions of what would actually occur during and after a major earthquake along the San Andreas Fault.

The scenario envisioned a quake that kills 1,800 people, injures 50,000 more and causes $200 billion in damages, leaving the region to experience long- lasting social and economic consequences.

Local residents, businesses, institutions, nonprofit organizations, religious groups and others registered online to take part in the drill at shakeout.org, where additional information about earthquake preparedness is also available.

This year's mock 7.8 quake drill was expanded from last year to include all of California, and 7 million people signed up to participate.

Residents throughout the region were also being encouraged to stockpile supplies, including water, food and basic first-aid kits, to be prepared for a real shaker.

"At 10:15 a.m. Thursday, simply drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or desk and cover your head with your arms, and then hold on for about 30 seconds," Pasadena Fire Chief Dennis Downs said in advance of the drill.

"While you're on the ground, think about what objects in your home or office might go flying off shelves during a major earthquake and what you would be doing in the moments after an actual major earthquake happens."

Mimicking a real emergency, volunteers portraying quake injury victims were at area hospitals, placed on stretchers and triaged according to the severity of their supposed injuries. Local police, fire and paramedics also participated.

The Los Angeles Unified School District, along with El Camino College and most districts in the South Bay, evacuated students and corraled them into designated areas.

Drill-related events in Los Angeles also took place at the California Science Center, the Los Angeles County Fire Department headquarters and the USC Health Science Campus.

Nearly 5.5 million people took part in the inaugural ShakeOut drill last year.