This Thursday, October 15th, is the worldwide Great ShakeOut earthquake and tsunami drill. Over 1.5 million in Washington have already registered to participate in this annual drill. Have you registered to join in the fun drill?  Registration is found on the Washington State Great Shakeout Registration Page and takes only a few minutes.  

Those who have already registered include families, businesses, schools, health care facilities, faith-based organizations, neighborhood groups and more.  

The Great ShakeOut is not just a Washington event, but a worldwide event. Millions around the globe will participate by practicing drop, cover and hold under a desk, table, or other sturdy items in case of an earthquake.  

This drill will help practice the action to be taken in case a real earthquake strikes. In recent years, many have had fun at work, school, or elsewhere by taking photos and videos while under a table or desk and posting them on social media.  

How the Drill Begins 

The drill will kick off when the Emergency Alert System (EAS) is activated at 1015 AM Thursday on the National Weather Service’s NOAA Weather Radio network statewide, and aired by all radio and TV broadcasters and cable systems, and that includes KIRO-FM 97.3, Seattle Sports 710 AM, and 770 Seattle Red.  

Earthquakes are no-notice events as opposed to significant weather events. They occur at any time of day, whether at home, work, on the road, in school, ever you and members of your family may be.  

For instance, people spend about a third of their lives asleep. If in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow until the shaking stops. Have a pair of hard-soled shoes under the bed to put on after the quake. Many injuries occur when walking in the dark with bare feet. Also consider a flashlight, gloves, light sticks, and even a hard hat under your bed. Here is a helpful short video on earthquake safety while in bed.  

Daily life also occurs at work, school, shopping or while traveling. Schools use this event as their October monthly emergency drill.  

It is crucial to consider earthquake safety actions at any location when a quake strikes. Communication with loved ones and work staff is also important. Phone systems will likely be overwhelmed or completely out of service in the wake of a quake.  

Having a backup communication plan can be critical. The Great ShakeOut drill offers the chance to practice your backup communication plan. Know in advance how and who to reach in case phone and power systems go out of service, which will be quite likely.  

In addition and if not already done, download and use the ShakeAlert app for quakes that are further away. The alert will offer a short time to prepare before the shaking begins.  

Washington is Earthquake Country

Recent smaller earthquakes around Vancouver Island and across Western Washington are reminders that Washington is earthquake country, the second most threatened state in the nation behind California. There are many earthquake faults around the region, including the Tacoma fault, the Seattle fault, and the South Whidbey Island fault that geologic history has shown all can produce 7.0 magnitude quakes or greater. 

And then there is the Cascadia Subduction Zone, about 100 miles off the coast, that stretches from northern Vancouver Island to northern California. The last time that earthquake zone ‘let go’ was on January 26, 1700, with an estimated 9.0 magnitude tremor. Shaking lasted for up to 5 minutes and generated a Pacific-wide tsunami with tsunami waves inundating coastal regions and into Western Washington interior waters.  

Geologists indicate this earthquake source releases pressure about every 300 to 500 years, meaning it could occur at any time now. This subduction zone is similar to others around the Pacific Ocean basin, including the one off the coast of Japan that produced a major earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, and recently off eastern Russia and in Panama. 

Practice Tsunami Response During the Great Shakeout 

When a big earthquake occurs, it is also essential to know if you are in a low-lying coastal tsunami inundation hazard zone. Significant ground shaking may be the only warning before tsunami waves arrive.  Knowing in advance evacuation routes and where to move to higher ground, including vertical evacuation in multi-story buildings or towers, is imperative. Many outer Washington coastal schools, residents, and others plan to also practice walking their tsunami evacuation plans following the earthquake drill.  As part of the Great Shakeout, the outdoor tsunami sirens will be tested with the actual ‘wailing’ sound on Thursday at 1015 AM. Emergency management authorities ask that, in response to the tsunami sirens, do not call 911.  

Readiness Tips 

The annual Great Shakeout is an essential time to learn and practice the drop, cover, and hold response to an earthquake, and have fun doing it. In tsunami inundation regions, also exercise the evacuation route by walking to higher ground.  

For tips on easy steps to take to be more prepared for an earthquake, tsunami, significant weather, or other hazardous events, visit the Washington State Emergency Management’s 12 steps to Prepare in a Year guide. 

Also sign up for local alerts and learn more about earthquake early warning at mil.wa.gov/alerts. 

Taking even simple steps to prepare for the next earthquake will help you be more prepared for the next major weather event as well.  

To participate and learn more about the Great ShakeOut on this Thursday, October 15th at 1015 AM, register at shakeout.org/washington/