Tectonic plates move slow and seemingly without consequence. When they slip, which is often, the seismic events are rarely felt. When the shift releases a lot of energy, as in 2001’s Nisqually quake, it can be destructive and deadly.

“It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when,” said Mark Murphy, emergency programs manager for Snohomish County. “Emergencies are inevitable, and we do live in earthquake country.”

At 10:16 a.m., 90,000 people in Snohomish County will participate in The Great Washington ShakeOut, a statewide earthquake drill to test the preparedness of emergency management services and to educate people on how to prepare for disaster.

Washington is at a higher risk of suffering an earthquake because of the Pacific-North American Plate Boundary, which runs along the western coast of the continent.

During the drill, participating businesses and government agencies will test their emergency alert systems. On Whidbey Island, the tsunami warning system will be tested as part of the drill.

Participants in Snohomish County will be practicing the drop and cover technique, and reviewing information about how to be prepared.

People can’t keep earthquakes and other natural disasters from happening, but can always be better prepared, Murphy said.

Simple steps include anchoring furniture to walls, including bookshelves and cabinets, which can fall over.

“It’s also important to think about power and utilities, which are often affected by earthquakes. If there is no power, and all you have is an electric can opener, how will you open canned food?” Murphy said.

Know your house utilities. If there is a gasline break, know how to shut it off or contain it. The same for water lines, he said.

Another key step for home preparation is to have a simple emergency kit. Inside should be drinking water, canned food, flashlights and batteries, multi-use tools, blankets, clothes, and a battery-operated radio.

Keep another emergency kit in your vehicle. Disasters often affect travel. Think accidents, snow storms, the Skagit River Bridge collapse, even the Oso mudslide. Becoming stranded along a highway is a possibility, he said.

And know alternate routes to and from your home in the event of emergency road closures.

“You can’t prepare for everything, but these basic preparations will get you through most situations,” he said.

Andrew Gobin: 425-339-3000, ext. 5461; agobin@heraldnet.com.

Learn more

For more information about how to prepare your home or business for an emergency, go to www.snodem.org and click on the preparedness tab. For more information on The Great Washington ShakeOut, go to www.shakeout.org/washington.