ShakeOut Earthquake Drill set for Oct. 16

ShakeOut Earthquake Drill set for Oct. 16

Media Contact: Steven Friederich, Public Information Officer for Washington Emergency Management Division at [email protected] or (253) 344-0253

On Oct. 16, students, families and folks in businesses will drop, cover and hold on for the Great Washington ShakeOut, part of the country's largest earthquake drill. The event also includes a tsunami siren test and evacuation drills in some schools.

Leading up to ShakeOut Day will be chances to interact with scientists and preparedness experts.

At 10:16 a.m. on Oct. 16, you're invited to drop, cover and hold on wherever you are - whether it's at work, home or school. Practicing builds muscle memory for when the real earthquake comes. We created a drill recording to help with the experience.

At about the same time, more than 120 Washington tsunami sirens along the inner and outer coast will be tested using the real wailing sound of a tsunami warning, not the Westminster Chimes that are typically used during the monthly tests.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL 911.

This year's ShakeOut theme is "Be Alerted." There are many different ways to get important emergency alerts. Besides the tsunami sirens, those who have downloaded the free MyShake Earthquake Early Warning App on their phones will also get a test. Sirens related to the Columbia Generating Station will be tested in the Tri-Cities areas and some local jurisdictions will test their reverse 911 and opt-in text alerts. NOAA Weather Radios will also sound an alarm. To make sure you're signed up for alerts, visit https://mil.wa.gov/alerts.

There WILL be a test of the Emergency Alert System on radio and television this year.

The Wireless Emergency Alert text system on cell phones will NOT be tested. Lahar sirens in Pierce County will also not be tested.

More than 1.2 million Washington residents have registered to participate in the earthquake and tsunami drill so far. Registration isn't required but it helps us with understanding how effective our outreach is. It's also free and easy to register at https://www.shakeout.org/washington

EVENTS

FREE Webinar: Noon, Wednesday, Oct. 1. Join our hazard and preparedness experts as they discuss the science behind earthquakes and tsunamis, their potential impacts, and what to expect when they happen. Most importantly, the team will provide insights on what you can do to prepare, and how to keep yourself and your family as safe as possible when these events occur someday. Reserve your spot using this link.

A Reddit Ask-Me-Anything session with scientists and preparedness experts is slated to go from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 9, 2025. A free Reddit account is needed to participate, but not to read the responses. Follow this account to be notified when the session is live.

Locate a local school, business or agency participating using this searchable database.