Drop, Cover, Hold On

Feb. 02--ANTHONY -- Schools across Kansas routinely have fire drills and tornado drills.

In Harper County, kids are also learning what to do during an earthquake.

Besides stop, drop and roll for fires, the county's school children are being taught drop, cover and hold on, said Harper County Emergency Manager Tom Winter.

"It's a new way of thinking out here," said Winter, adding that most people are used to dealing with tornadoes and fires. "But we aren't used to the earth shaking."

In fact, when he took the job three years ago, he wasn't thinking of adding earthquakes to his management duties. Now he's talking to local residents about how to be prepared.

However, he said, "In emergency management, everything is kind of an unknown. I can be talking earthquake preparedness, and I get a call for a hazmat spill or the next week we could be talking tornadoes."

He advises residents to be ready for any kind of event, including earthquakes.

A 2.1 equivalent earthquake has the same energy as the West Texas fertilizer plant explosion.

Kansas Water Maps

Explore where earthquakes have occurred the last two years in Harper and Sumner counties as well as where there are salt water disposal wells on this interactive map created by The Hutchinson News. Click on this map to go to http://hutchne.ws/quakesandwells.

A 4.3 magnitude quake has the same energy as 94,000 pounds of TNT.

"That is how much energy it takes, how much energy is being released," he said.

Harper County school officials have talked to students about earthquake drills, said Chaparral Superintendent Josh Swartz. However, the quakes are so short, he didn't figure students have time to get under their desks.

But each quake does disrupt learning time, he said, noting it takes a while to get students -- especially the younger ones, settled back down.

Todd Hallihan, a geophysicist with Oklahoma State University, said in Oklahoma residents sometimes feel an earthquake and run out of their homes.

But they shouldn't. Something could fall on them when they are going out the door.

For those breakable items on high shelves, people should consider bringing them down a level, he said.

Earthquake tips

Winter recommends these tips from the Earthquake Country Alliance.

Before an earthquake happens ...

--Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items.

--Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency.

--Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations.

--Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property and considering insurance.

During and after a quake ...

--Drop, cover and hold on when the earth shakes.

--Improve safety after earthquakes by evacuating if necessary, helping the injured and preventing further injuries or damage.

--Reconnect and restore -- restore daily life by reconnecting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community.

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