'ShakeOut' Drill Accompanied By Actual Earthquake In Paden

Another earthquake in Oklahoma takes place just minutes after the state conducts a large scale earthquake readiness drill.

The small earthquake registered 3.1 in central Oklahoma in Okfuskee County about six miles south of Paden.

Tuesday's drill encouraged residents to get ready for an earthquake, teaching the safest way to avoid injury.

In Chasity Tedeshchi's science class at Boyd Middle School in Sand Springs, it seemed like an ordinary day. Her students participated in the Shakeout Drill to learn what to do during an earthquake. 

"You can't tell that they're coming. There's no warning. You don't see them on a radar. You don't have a day to see that they are on their way," said eighth-grade teacher Chasity Tedeschi.

"So the fact that they're so unpredictable - they need to know immediately what to do. 

"You are joining in the largest earthquake drill in the region's history," she told her students.

In the drill, students were told to drop to the ground and take cover by getting under something sturdy.

Experts say that's what all of us should do to protect ourselves during an earthquake, because the primary risk of injury comes from things toppling over like bookcases and shelves, rather than structural collapse."

Tedeschi organized the event at her school after Oklahoma's record breaking 5.6 earthquake in November. 

"That last one, I think it got a lot of people thinking," the middle school teacher said.

Student Bailey Snell remembers that powerful earthquake. She wasn't sure what to do then, but she knows now. 

Craig Day, News On 6: "How important is it to have these earthquake drills you think?"
Bailey Snell, student: "Pretty important so you know what to do in an earthquake and not panic."

More than 45,000 Oklahomans, from 134 schools, government agencies and other organizations took part in the drill. 

"Protect yourself from objects being thrown around. Hold on to it until the shaking stops."

The drill didn't last long, but experts hope it's a lasting lesson that can prevent injuries or save lives the next time the earth moves.

"Remember, aftershocks may occur after an earthquake."

More than two million people in nine states took part in the region-wide earthquake drill. Tedeschi hopes more schools and businesses will hold regular earthquake drills, just like they do with tornado and fire drills.