On a day when an earthquake shook Southeastern Illinois and a major quake has caused destruction in Mexico City, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency is asking residents to prepare for a potential earthquake with a statewide drill one month from now. 

 

On Oct. 19 at 10:19 a.m., Illinois will join other states and countries in practicing three simple actions that could save your life in a major quake: drop, cover and hold on. 

 

Next month's drill is dubbed The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill. Southern Illinois has two seismic zones, making it the biggest area of concern. 

 

A half million people took part in the drill last year. 300,000 people are signed up so far this year. 

 

Schools, businesses, government agencies, families and others can register to participate in the drill at www.shakeout.org/centralus.