Get Ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Washington’s Great ShakeOut Is This Week
Community, it’s time to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 15 at 10:15 a.m., your official opportunity to participate in the Great Washington ShakeOut Earthquake and Tsunami Drill.
Why Preparedness Matters in the PNW
Did you know that Washington state faces the second-highest risk from earthquakes in the entire nation, right behind California? On top of that, with over 3,000 miles of coastline, tsunami hazards are a real reality for our coastal communities. Even with tech advancements like the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning system, you may only get seconds of warning before ground shaking starts. Practicing now ensures you can act instantly when it counts.
What to Do at 10:15 a.m. on 10/15
No matter where you are, at home, at your desk, or out in the community, take one minute to practice these key steps:
Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Protect yourself from falling objects and heavy shaking for a full minute. Check out this guide on how to protect yourself in different scenarios.
Tsunami Hazard Zone Awareness: If you live near the coast, practice walking your tsunami evacuation route to high ground. At 10:15 a.m., Coastal Tsunami Sirens will sound the “Wail” tone as part of the drill.
Take It a Step Further
Safety doesn't stop when the minute is up. After the drill, take time to make your environment safer:
Secure Your Space: Fasten tall shelves to walls, install latches on cabinet doors, and move heavy items to lower shelves. Conduct a full Home Hazard Hunt when you can.
Prepare in a Year: Explore Washington State’s Prepare in a Year guide (available in 6 languages at mil.wa.gov/PIY) for actionable tips you can take step-by-step with family, friends, or coworkers.
Review Plans & Resources: Test emergency communications or continuity plans. Need drill planning templates? Access drill manuals at ShakeOut.org/Resources.
Get Registered Today
Sign up yourself, your family, your workplace, school, or organization for free at ShakeOut.org/Washington. If October 15 doesn't work for your schedule, you can register and hold your drill on any date that suits your team.
Key Emergency Links & Information
Earthquake Preparedness: mil.wa.gov/earthquake
Tsunami Sirens & Routes: mil.wa.gov/tsunami
ShakeAlert Early Warning: mil.wa.gov/alerts
Thank you for taking action to keep our community safe and prepared!
Looking to book a space for your upcoming event? Check out Colman Commons for all your event space needs at colmancommons.com
