Drop, cover and hold this Thursday for statewide earthquake drill 

Drop, cover, and hold this Thursday, Oct. 17, as part of the statewide earthquake drill. 

The Great Washington ShakeOut will happen at exactly 10:17 a.m. and will allow participants to learn how to better protect themselves during an earthquake. 

The drill also allows participating organizations to review and improve their safety protocols. 

Over 66,175 participants have already signed up in the county for the annual drill as of Monday morning. 

Fifteen local government agencies in the county will be participating. 

Parents should expect their kids to learn from these drills as 38 K-12 schools in the county are also joining. 

Six business establishments have registered for the drill. More businesses are encouraged to sign up as the Great ShakeOut is not something you would have to leave work for. 

The drill takes at least one minute unless organizations opt for a more extensive program. 

Families may also participate. More than a hundred family members have signed up for the drills. 

Participants may register at the Great ShakeOut website. The website also provides resources such as drill manuals, videos, and posters to help participants plan for the drill.