Monday, February 6, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY – On Tuesday the Oklahoma Insurance Department joins the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the Oklahoma Geological Survey and more than 2 million people in nine states in the second annual Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, an earthquake preparedness drill.
“The Insurance Department participated in this event last year, and after an earthquake of record 5.6 magnitude struck near Prague in November, Oklahomans are more aware than ever about the importance of earthquake preparedness,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. “I urge you to ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’ with nearly 50,000 of your neighbors and friends on Tuesday.”
In Oklahoma, more 134 Oklahoma schools, government agencies and other organizations have registered to take part in the drill. Officials at OEM estimate that more than 45,000 Oklahomans will participate. Gov. Mary Fallin has proclaimed Feb. 7 as Earthquake Preparedness Day in Oklahoma.
During the ShakeOut, participants will drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on for about 60 seconds until the exercise ends. Experts say this is the safest response to an earthquake, since in the United States the primary threats of injury during a seismic event are from falling debris and toppling objects such as bookcases, rather than a total structural collapse.
Oklahomans are joining residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut. Learn more at www.shakeout.org/centralus.
“Standard property insurance policies typically don’t cover damage from earthquake,” Doak noted. “So this drill also serves as an ideal reminder to consider whether adding earthquake insurance is right for your home or business.”
Doak added that the Insurance Department’s new “Open for Business” program has helped introduce new companies and different types of earthquake policies to Oklahoma’s insurance market in the past few months, giving consumers a greater selection of coverage options.
Consumers with questions about earthquake coverage or any other insurance issue can call the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance Hotline at (800) 522-0071 or visit the Insurance Department online at www.oid.ok.gov.
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About the Oklahoma Insurance Department
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.
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