First grade students Violet Varner, 6, (right) and Sadie Lovett, 6,  takes cover under their desks during the Great Southern California Shakeout at  Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH) on Thursday, October 20, 2011.

Over 8 million people throughout Southern California participated in the Shake Out Drill, the largest earthquake preparedness activity in U.S. history! Families, school children and business workers participated in the drill. In summary, The ShakeOut Scenario estimates this earthquake will cause some 2,000 deaths, 50,000 injuries, $200 billion in damage and other losses, and severe, long-lasting disruption. The report has regional implications and is a dramatic call to action for preparedness.