Join the 2026 Great ShakeOut earthquake drill on October 15.
- When: October 15, 2026, at 10:15 a.m.
- Who: UW students, faculty, staff and campus partners
- What: Practice Drop, Cover and Hold On during an earthquake drill
Western Washington faces significant earthquake risk, and earthquakes can occur with little to no warning. Practicing your response before an earthquake happens can help protect you and those around you when seconds matter.
Practice Drop, Cover and Hold On
- Drop: Drop to your hands and knees so the shaking does not knock you down.
- Cover: Cover your head and neck. If possible, get beneath a sturdy table or desk.
- Hold On: Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Stay with it if it moves.
If no sturdy table is nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and move away from windows, glass and objects that could fall. Consider how you would respond if you were in bed, driving, in a crowded space or somewhere without a sturdy table.
- Watch Great ShakeOut earthquake safety videos to learn what to do during an earthquake.
- Review the earthquake safety guidance for people with mobility disabilities.
Prepare your community before October 15
Share information about the Great ShakeOut in upcoming lecture slides and meeting agendas. You can also post informational flyers in your office or building and use Great ShakeOut virtual backgrounds in Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
Outreach materials are available for campus partners, including flyers, digital signs, PowerPoint slides and virtual backgrounds.
UW Emergency Management is hosting Preparedness 101 training at 11 a.m. on October 9 to help participants prepare for the Great ShakeOut. Visit the UW Emergency Management website for training and registration information.
Review how you will receive emergency information
Use the Great ShakeOut as an opportunity to review how you will receive information from UW during an emergency.
- Review and manage your UW Alert account using your UW NetID. Confirm that your email addresses and phone numbers are current, and subscribe to alerts for the campus or campuses you want to monitor.
- Learn more about ShakeAlert earthquake early warning, operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in partnership with UW and other universities.
- Bookmark the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and follow its social media accounts for regional earthquake information and preparedness updates.
Build preparedness with your community
The Great ShakeOut is also a chance to think about what you may need after an earthquake. Discuss how you will communicate with family, friends, loved ones or housemates if services or communications are disrupted.
- Make an emergency plan.
- Build an emergency kit.
- Request earthquake or general preparedness training through UW Emergency Management.
Training can help your community practice emergency response actions, discuss local hazards and identify questions before an emergency occurs. Please share this information with your groups and reach out to UW Emergency Management with questions about earthquake preparedness.