The Daily World

At 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, Pacific County will participate in the largest earthquake drill ever — The Great ShakeOut.

Earthquakes can happen anywhere, so everyone should know how to protect themselves when an earthquake occurs, according to a press release. Coastal earthquakes can be followed by tsunamis — which is why the Great Washington Shake Out includes a tsunami drill.

Washington’s Network of All Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) sirens will be tested using the wailing sound of a tsunami warning, not the Westminster Chimes that are used during the monthly tests.

The wailing sound will be followed by a message in English and Spanish: “This is a test of the siren alert system.If you are in a low coastal area, test your evacuation route. If this had been a real emergency, you should follow evacuation routes, move to higher ground inland, now. Do not delay. Do not return until directed to do so. Tune into your local media sources for further instructions. This was only a test.”

As a part of this event, Pacific County, in cooperation with the Shoalwater Bay Tribe, will be conducting a vertical evacuation exercise. Anyone on the Tokeland Peninsula is invited to walk from where they are to the tsunami tower located at the end of Blackberry Lane.

This exercise will allow people to determine for themselves how long it will take to walk to the tower. Once there “Three Day Ready Kits” will be available.

Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Emergency Management, Pacific County EmergencyManagement, Washington State Emergency Management, amateur radio expert Rick Wilcox and the Tokeland Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to provide hands-on demonstrations of the emergency radio equipment and supplies stored on the tower. This will serve to inform Tribal members of what will be available on the tower during an emergency and better understand what supplies you should keep in your own “go bags.”

Water and light snacks will be on hand along with some emergency equipment and supplies for home kits.