Bayou View Elementary Practices Earthquake Safety Drills

Earthquakes can strike when we least expect it and devastate communities. Thursday, students across the nation practiced earthquake safety drills. Even the kindergarteners at Bayou View Elementary School know to stop, drop, and cover during an earthquake drill.

At 10:16 a.m., students across the nation participated in The Great Central U.S. Shakeout. David Allen with Bayou View Elementary says, “With recent world events, of course with natural disasters everywhere this summer, they thought it was important for all schools in Mississippi to take part in this.”

The drill focused on earthquakes, but students in Gulfport prepare for a variety of emergency situations throughout the year. Allen also says, “We do have severe weather, tornado drills and we do have fire drills that we do on a monthly basis and we keep up with documentation and the whole nine yards, so this is just part of our general crisis plan for the district and for the school.”

While Mississippi usually sees more hurricanes than earthquakes, they are prepared year round just in case. Allen closes, “We always have to stay in a state of preparation, so we do these all year long, regardless whether it’s hurricane season, tornado season, whatever it might be, we stay on top of it.”

If you would like to talk with your child about earthquake or severe weather safety, go to www.shakeout.com.