Newport-Mesa to join area earthquake drill

This could be the one earthquake you actually want to be a part of.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, thousands across Newport-Mesa will join millions across Southern California in an expected record-setting earthquake drill, “The Great Southern California Shakeout,” city officials said.

Thursday morning Newport-Mesa city, fire, and police officials will respond to a pretend magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the southern portion of the San Andreas Fault. At the same time, everyone will drop, cover and hold on across Newport-Mesa.

From there, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa emergency operations centers will coordinate rescues and evacuations, with leaders even holding mock news conferences.

All these efforts aim to help city officials, local colleges and schools prepare for the inevitable “Big One,” public safety officials said.

The public is invited to participate.

For more information, go online to www.shakeout.org/drill or call the Newport Beach fire department at (949) 644-3112.

— Joseph Serna