If an earthquake happen right this very moment, would you be ready?

New Zealand Shakeout, the national earthquake drill and tsunami hikoi, is taking place this Thursday October 18, at 9.30am.

ShakeOut is held across the world to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquake, Drop, Cover and Hold – and to practise a tsunami evacuation if in a coastal area.

Today is a great day to practise those drills, as a series of earthquakes rattled the Bay of Plenty this morning.

One woman, who lives in Whakatane but works in Tauranga, says one woke her up at about 5am.

'The house shook and the dog started barking.”

'The house was making noise because of the shaking.”

Wherever you are at 9.30am on 18 October 2018, you can take part in the drill. Just Drop, Cover and Hold for up to one minute, and if you're in a coastal area practise your tsunami hīkoi.

There are lots of hints and tips for signalling the start and finish of the drill, what to do before hand to get more prepared, and what to do when the drill is over.

For more information visit: https://www.shakeout.govt.nz/