The Great SouthEast ShakeOut is set for Thursday, Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m. Virginia holds a substantial lead in southeastern states that are participating in the simultaneous earthquake drill.

More than 784,000 Virginians have already signed up to practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” the recommended response in the U.S. to an earthquake. The drill is open to everyone. Individuals, families, businesses, organizations, schools and colleges, and government agencies can sign up at www.shakeout.org/southeast or through www.ReadyVirginia.gov Those who register will receive information on how to plan an earthquake drill and how to help communities be better prepared for earthquakes and disasters.

The ShakeOut drill provides an opportunity to practice the safe response to an earthquake: drop to the ground, before the shaking drops you; take cover under a sturdy table or desk if possible, protecting your head and neck; hold on to the table or desk until the shaking stops

More than 1.1 million people have signed up so far for the Great SouthEast ShakeOut to be held in these states: Delaware, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Coordinating partners for the Great SouthEast ShakeOut include the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). ShakeOut originated in California, where statewide earthquake drills have been held annually since 2008, and has grown to be an international program with nearly 25 million people participating in 2013.