Virginians are signing up in big numbers to participate in a multi-state earthquake drill next month.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management says 694,281 residents have signed up for the Oct. 17 drill, called the Great SouthEast ShakeOut. Nearly 1 million people have signed up from Georgia north to Washington, D.C.
The drill provides an opportunity to practice the safe response to an earthquake. The basic drill is: drop, take cover and hold on.
More than two years ago, a magnitude-5.8 earthquake centered in Mineral was felt far along the densely populated Eastern seaboard from and as far north as New England.
Individuals, families, schools and organizations can sign up for the drill at: http://www.shakeout.org/southeast .
Copyright The Associated Press
