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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [INTERNATIONAL]

4 clusters · 20 sources · 7 days · First seen · Last updated

Great ShakeOut earthquake drills in US states and Puerto R

Overview

In October 2026, emergency management agencies in Mississippi and Kentucky promoted participation in the ‘Great ShakeOut’ earthquake drill scheduled for October 15.

In Mississippi, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) reported that approximately 296,000 people registered for the exercise. MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney noted that while earthquakes may not be the primary concern for Mississippians, they represent a ‘real hazard to the state’ due to seismic activity from the New Madrid seismic zone. Residents were encouraged to practice the ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’ safety method.

Similarly, Kentucky Emergency Management utilized the drill as part of ‘Kentucky Earthquake Awareness Week’. Officials advised citizens to identify safe locations, establish emergency plans, and replenish supply kits.

As the drill approached, participation expanded across other regions. In Puerto Rico, Governor Jenniffer González Colón urged families, schools, and government agencies to participate to evaluate emergency plans and assess the needs of children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. In California, approximately 10.7 million students and workers registered for the exercise. Officials from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) emphasized that preparedness is essential due to high seismic activity and tectonic tension.

On October 15, millions of participants in California and Puerto Rico executed the drill, practicing the ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold On’ method. In California, drills included campuswide evacuations at locations like Fremont High School in Los Angeles County. To prepare, Cal OES utilized a traveling earthquake simulator at San Francisco State University to simulate a 7.0-magnitude event. The exercise also involved testing the USGS ShakeAlert early warning system and coordinating with agencies such as the American Red Cross and Metrolink.

Entities

Great ShakeOut · Kentucky Emergency Management · Los Angeles Unified School District · San Francisco State University · Jenniffer González Colón

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    California residents participate in annual Great ShakeOut earthquake drill

    Millions of Californians participated in the annual Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill, practicing “Drop, Cover and Hold On” techniques to improve statewide emergency preparedness.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 11 sources
    California and Puerto Rico conduct earthquake preparedness drills

    Millions in California and Puerto Rico participated in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, practicing the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique to improve emergency preparedness.

  3. [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Kentucky urges participation in 2026 Great ShakeOut earthquake drill

    Kentucky Emergency Management is urging residents to participate in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill on October 15 as part of Earthquake Awareness Week.

  4. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Mississippi holds statewide earthquake drill

    Mississippi residents are encouraged to participate in the ‘Great ShakeOut’ earthquake drill on Oct. 15 to practice essential safety procedures and improve disaster preparedness.

Sources

countryherald.com · dailyastorian.com · esnoticiapr.com · goldengatexpress.org · harlanenterprise.net · jessaminejournal.com · kesq.com · keyt.com · larazon.es · middlesboronews.com · monitoreamos.com · mynewsla.com · supertalk.fm · theindiansun.com.au · theinteriorjournal.com · tn23.tv · transportationtodaynews.com · vanguardia.com.mx · wavepublication.com · web3wire.org

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history