Earthquakes are the most serious natural hazard facing the Puget Sound area. Although major earthquakes are rare, they do happen here. And, unlike some other hazards, earthquakes happen with little warning.
Practicing what to do when the ground starts shaking — drop, cover and hold on — can help you feel more confident and prepared for an earthquake. UW Emergency Management invites all UW students, faculty and staff to participate in this year’s Washington Great ShakeOut earthquake drill at 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17. Watch for the UW Alert message, then, wherever you are, stop and practice.
Check out the Great ShakeOut earthquake video series for info about what to do if an earthquake happens while you’re in bed, when you’re driving, while you’re in a stadium or if you don’t have a sturdy table to crawl under. The Seattle Times also has a helpful earthquake guide.
Before the drill, log into your UW Alert account and make sure your contact info is up-to-date. Particularly for staff and faculty, make sure this includes your cell number for text messaging of alerts.
We also encourage you to download the MyShake earthquake early warning app. The app uses the ShakeAlert automated system run by the U.S. Geological Survey in partnership with the UW and universities in Oregon and California. That system uses ground motion sensors to detect earthquakes and send a notification.
ShakeOut is also a good time to think about the time after an earthquake, including making an emergency plan and building an emergency kit.