NORTH SOUND, OCT. 14: Thursday, Oct. 16, is the annual Great ShakeOut, the global earthquake drill where millions around the world will practice their drop, cover and hold skills in the event of an earthquake. Washington State Emergency Management Division indicated early this week that more than 1.5 million people have registered. Have you?
Who Can Register?
The earthquake drill can be a lot of fun. Registration is available at the Washington State Great ShakeOut registration page, and takes just a few minutes to complete.
Anyone can register and participate in the Great ShakeOut. For instance, schools use this drill as their October safety drill. Families, neighborhood groups, businesses, faith-based organizations, health care facilities, and many more can participate.
What Time Is The Drill on Thursday?
The Great ShakeOut begins at 10:16 a.m., matching the date – 10/16. The National Weather Service will start the drill statewide by activating the Emergency Alert System (EAS) via their NOAA Weather Radio network that reaches more than 95% of the state. NOAA Weather Radio stations that serve the North Sound include Seattle, Puget Sound (transmitter is near Port Townsend), and Blaine in Whatcom County.
All broadcasters including TV, radio, and cable systems will air the EAS message from the National Weather Service.
Why Practice?
Washington is the second most earthquake-threatened state in the nation, behind California. The number of recent quakes across the region emphasizes that fact.
The North Sound is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, thanks primarily to the South Whidbey Island fault that runs roughly west to east from the island across Snohomish County. Geologic history has shown that this fault has produced 7.0 magnitude earthquakes or greater.
Other earthquake faults also crisscross the Puget Sound region, including the Seattle and Tacoma faults.
The potential ‘big one’ is associated with the Cascadia Subduction Zone that stretches from northern California to northern Vancouver Island, about 100 miles off the coast. Geologic history, along with tribal history, describes the last time this subduction zone generated such a huge quake was on January 26, 1700 – estimated to be a 9.0 magnitude tremor with shaking that lasted up to five minutes.
That monster earthquake also generated tsunami waves across the entire Pacific Ocean. A similar subduction zone earthquake occurred off Japan in March 2011 that included a devastating tsunami, and now recently, another such quake off the coast of eastern Russia.
Geologists indicate the Cascadia Subduction Zone releases pressure, resulting in a big earthquake about every 300 to 500 years, meaning it could occur at any time now.
Outdoor Tsunami Siren Systems
Along the shorelines at the Port of Everett, Edmonds, Anacortes, or other North Sound locations, you may have noticed tall siren systems that serve as tsunami warning systems. There are more than 100 of these outdoor siren systems along the outer coast and Strait of Juan de Fuca as well.
These outdoor siren systems will activate on Thursday morning just after 10:16 a.m., with their actual whaling siren that would be used in a real event. No need to call 9-1-1. This test will demonstrate the warning system’s effectiveness. Here is a short video that describes these outdoor tsunami warning sirens and what they sound like.
There’s An App For That
Another great tool that can provide precious seconds to respond is the Shakealert app. This app is quite useful for quakes that are further away, such as in Oregon, and offers a short time to prepare before shaking begins.
Where Will You Be When The Shaking Begins
This year’s Great ShakeOut earthquake drill also focuses on being prepared and safe wherever you may be at the time an earthquake occurs. You could be at home, in school, at work, outside, driving on the road, or shopping – a tremor can happen at any time and any place.
One place is in bed, where people spend about a third of their lives. If in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, use a pair of hard-soled shoes that are tucked under the bed. Historically, 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.
Communication
When a big earthquake occurs, power and communication systems will likely fail. Without power, cell towers will go off-line as demonstrated during the 2023 Maui wildfire.
In the wake of a quake, communication with loved ones and work staff is critical. Have a backup communication plan in hand, such as a distant relative or friend that all local family members can reach. The Great ShakeOut drill offers the chance to practice a backup communication plan.
Register
To register for the Great ShakeOut Washington and learn more information about this annual earthquake drill, visit ShakeOut.org.
Thursday morning’s Great ShakeOut will provide the opportunity to practice drop, cover, and hold on under a sturdy structure for a minute, and take photos and videos destined for social media! Register today at shakeout.org/washington
