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UW Emergency Management

Earthquake

Great ShakeOut earthquake drill is Oct. 15 at 10:15 a.m.

UW Emergency Management invites UW students, faculty, and staff to participate in the 2026 Great ShakeOut earthquake drill at 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 15. Wherever you are, we encourage you to practice the action that can help protect you during an earthquake: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

  • Drop to your hands and knees so the shaking does not knock you down.
  • Cover your head and neck and, if possible, get beneath a sturdy table or desk.
  • Hold On until the shaking stops, staying with your shelter 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. Think about how you would respond in different situations such as being in bed, driving, in a crowded space, or somewhere without a sturdy table. Watch the Great ShakeOut earthquake video series to learn what to do during an earthquake. If you have mobility concerns, check out the mobility disability earthquake safety video.

Get drill details, links to promotional materials and more.

During

Infographic showing the 'Drop! Cover! Hold on!' procedure
Drop! Cover! Hold on!
  1. Drop where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and reduces your chances of being hit by falling or flying objects.
  2. Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand.
    • If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter.
    • If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall — not in a doorway.
    • If outside, stay away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines.
    • Stay away from windows and anything that could fall.

    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 you have a sturdy table to crawl under. The Seattle Times also has a helpful earthquake guide.

  3. Hold on until the shaking stops.
    • Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.
    • No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

After

  1. Check for injuries and assist others. Do not attempt to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger.
  2. Evacuate the building. Use the stairs, not elevators in an emergency. Assist others who may need help evacuating — review evacuation guidance for individuals with disabilities. Take keys, purses, wallets, and emergency supplies with you as you might not be allowed to re-enter the building.
  3. Watch for hazards. Expect aftershocks. Watch for loose/falling objects. Stay away from downed power lines. Notice your surroundings as you change locations, as there will likely be aftershocks nearly as strong as the initial earthquake.
  4. Go to the nearest evacuation assembly area, if you are on campus.

    Stay with your residence hall, class or work group.

  5. Follow directions given by Evacuation Wardens/emergency responders.
  6. Do not re-enter the building until declared safe by emergency authorities.
  7. Stay off the phones and do not call 911 for information. Phone systems will be overwhelmed, but you may be able to send a text message.
  8. Get out your emergency supplies, including bottled water, flashlights and batteries. It may be several days before power or water can be restored to your area.