A low magnitude (2.1) earthquake struck eastern Frederick County at 5:51 this past Saturday morning. Since its focus was so shallow (about three miles deep), many people in the immediate area felt weak to light shaking. While we are more likely to feel out-of-state earthquakes (like last summer's Central Virginia quake), almost 70 quakes with their origins in Maryland have been reported since 1758. In 1993, twenty small earthquakes hit the Columbia area. The highest magnitude of this series of quakes, known as the Columbia Earthquake Swarm, registered a 2.7 on the Richter scale.
To prepare for future earthquake swarms, join us for the The Great Southeast ShakeOut, the region's largest ever earthquake drill. At 10:18 a.m., on October 18, 2012 (10:18, 10/18), students, faculty, and staff of Montgomery College will practice "Drop, cover and hold on," the proper technique for protecting yourself during an earthquake.
To prepare for all types of emergencies, familiarize yourself with the College Emergency Procedures and develop an Emergency Kit.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Do you know the difference between a HAZMAT Shelter-in-Place Alert and a Weather Shelter-in-Place Alert? Take a look at page six of the College Emergency Procedures (http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/emergency) to learn how to protect yourself during either a hazardous materials release or a severe weather emergency.
EMERGENCY KIT
The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security tells us one of the most important ways we can protect our families during an emergency is to put together an emergency supplies kit PRIOR TO the emergency. An emergency kit is a collection of basic items members of a household may need during an emergency. These items are stored in a portable container, usually near an exit door. Some items typically found in an emergency kit are:
* Portable radio and batteries
* Flashlight and batteries
* First aid kit
* Cash
* Copies of personal documents
* Extra car and home keys
* Matches
* Maps
* Special supplies for infants, seniors and pets
* Food - three-day supply
* Medications
* Water - three-day supply (three gallons per person)
* Kitchen items - can opener, cups, plates, utensils
* Clothing
In addition to the three-day supply of food and water in your kit, you should consider maintaining a two-week supply of food and water in your home.
See the attached poster for the nine essential items for any emergency kit.
For more information on developing an emergency kit, visit any or all of these sites.
http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/oemtmpl.asp?url=/content/homelandsecurity/Kit/index.asp
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit
http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/animal_rescue/tips/disaster_preparedness_1.html
http://mema.maryland.gov/prepared/Pages/DisasterSupplyKit.aspx
