ShakeOut Earthquake Drill set for Oct. 17

The event also includes a tsunami siren test and evacuation drills in some schools.

On Oct. 17, students, families and businesses will drop, cover and hold on for the Great Washington ShakeOut. The event also includes a tsunami siren test and evacuation drills in some schools.

At 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17, 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.

Besides the tsunami sirens, those who have downloaded the free MyShake Earthquake Early Warning App on their phones will also get a test. Radiation sirens 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.

The state will not be testing the Emergency Alert System on radio and television this year. The Wireless Emergency Alert text system on cell phones will also NOT be tested. And lahar sirens in Pierce County will not be tested.

More than 1 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

At about 10 a.m. on Oct. 17, the Washington Emergency Management Division will field your earthquake-related questions on our Facebook page as we prep for ShakeOut Day ourselves from the policy room of our state Emergency Operations Center. If you have a question you want us to talk about and can’t make it, feel free to email us at public.education@mil.wa.gov.

On the morning of Oct. 17, media is invited to take video and pictures at the Cascade Parent Partnership (a K-8 school), at 2919 1st Ave W., Seattle, WA. Members of the media MUST RSVP to the school district media team at spsmedia@seattleschools.org. Meet at the main entrance at 9:45 a.m. The drill is set for 10:17 a.m.

From 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., on Oct. 17, the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe will team with the Washington Emergency Management Division for an event at the vertical evacuation tower, 2373 Tokeland Road, Tokeland, WA. If you're in the area, learn about the tower and practice walking to the top. For more information, email kufkin@shoalwaterbay-nsn.gov

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