Californians prepare for next big earthquake during Great ShakeOut drill

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- This year, the anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake also falls on the same day as the Great ShakeOut. The annual earthquake drill happens the third Thursday of October.

MAP: Significant San Francisco Bay Area fault lines and strong earthquakes

Thursday morning at 10:17, Californians stopped what they were doing and practiced what to do when an earthquake hits.

Remember, there are three simple steps -- drop, cover and hold on.

Those with the MyShake earthquake early warning app should have received a test alert at 10:17.

FROM THE ARCHIVE: ABC7's Peabody Award winning coverage of 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

ABC7 News reporter Leslie Brinkley stands at the edge of a collapsed section of the San Francisco Bay Bridge after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.

At the same time, BART trains automatically slowed down to 27 miles per hour before coming to a brief stop.

Preparation for "the big one" extends beyond this drill.

We should all have a kit with critical supplies to keep our families safe in the immediate hours and days after disaster strikes.

ABC7 ORIGINALS DOCUMENTARY: 'The Earthquake Effect' provides in-depth coverage on Bay Area's readiness for the next major earthquake

On the anniversary of Loma Prieta, we looked back at the past and also gave you a glimpse into the future in our ABC7 Originals Documentary: "The Earthquake Effect."

VIDEO: What to pack in your earthquake emergency kit

If you haven't put together an earthquake kit for your house yet, it's time to get going.

For more information on what to put in your kit, or what to do in case of a major earthquake, visit this page.