Western Washington faces significant earthquake risk, and earthquakes can occur with little to no warning. Practicing how to respond before an earthquake occurs can help protect you and those around you when seconds matter.
Get ready to drop, cover and hold on
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.
Act before October 15
Before October 15, add information about the Great ShakeOut to your upcoming lecture slides and meeting agendas, and hang informational flyers in your office/building. You can also use fun virtual backgrounds leading up to and on the Great ShakeOut on October 15.
Outreach materials are available for campus partners, including flyers, digital signs, PowerPoint slides, and Microsoft Teams and Zoom backgrounds.
UW Emergency Management is hosting a Preparedness 101 training at 11 a.m. on Oct. 9 to prepare for the Great ShakeOut. Register to attend the training.
Check how you will receive emergency information
The drill is also a good opportunity to review how you will receive information from the UW during an emergency.
UW Alert is the University’s emergency alert system. Before October 15, visit the UW Alert sign-up and account management page and sign in with your UW NetID. Check that your email addresses and phone numbers are current and ensure you are subscribed to alerts for the campus or campuses you want to hear from.
You can also learn more about ShakeAlert, the earthquake early warning system operated by the U.S. Geological Survey in partnership with the UW and other universities.
Build preparedness with your community
The Great ShakeOut is a chance to think beyond the few moments during an earthquake. Consider what you might need afterward, how you would communicate with family, friends, loved ones, or housemates, and what you would do if services or communications were disrupted. Learn how to make an emergency plan and build an emergency kit.
UW groups, organizations, and teams can request earthquake and general preparedness training through the UW Emergency Management website. Training can help your community practice response actions, discuss local hazards, and identify questions before an emergency occurs.