Sign up for Yolo-Alert.org to Get Ready and Prepare

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) – On October 15 at 10:15 a.m., Yolo County will participate in a statewide exercise called the Great California ShakeOut that encourages all residents to practice earthquake safety at work and at home. California is at higher risk compared to other parts of the country to having earthquakes. The Great California ShakeOut exercise will alert residents through Yolo-Alert, the County’s mass notification system.

To prepare for the many hazards that could impact Yolo County and take proactive steps in ensuring timely alerts and information during emergencies, the Yolo County Office of Emergency Services urges residents and businesses to register for Yolo-Alert at www.Yolo-Alert.org and include all addresses residents currently live at, including residences often visited like parent’s or grandparents’ houses, and all phone numbers such as landlines, cell phones, or work numbers. Registering with as much contact information possible dramatically increases the ability of the system to reach the greatest number of community members within minutes.

Yolo-Alert, the county’s mass notification system (built upon the Everbridge® Platform in partnership with the counties of Sacramento and Placer) is a critical link for residents to immediately learn of any required actions, such as evacuating their homes during an imminent fire, flood or earthquake. Yolo County and city partners rely heavily on this communication tool to warn residents of potential hazards and the actions they can take to remain safe.

Emergency officials and first responders recommend the following actions during an earthquake:

• If you are inside a building when the shaking starts:
  • DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.
  • COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand
    • If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter
    • If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)
    • Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs
  • HOLD ON until shaking stops
    • Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if shifts
  • No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.
• If you are outdoors when the shaking starts:
  • Find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines, then Drop, Cover and Hold On. Stay there until the shaking stops.

• If you are driving, when the shaking starts:
  • Pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged.

The Great California ShakeOut is free and open-to-the-public, and participants include individuals, schools, businesses, government agencies, and many other groups. For people with disabilities and other access or functional needs, visit: https://www.earthquakecountry.org/disability/. For general information about the Great ShakeOut, visit: https://www.shakeout.org/california/. To register for Yolo-Alert, visit: www.Yolo-Alert.org. For information.