[REVISION HISTORY]

Great ShakeOut earthquake drills in US states and Puerto R

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-15 19:46 UTC → 2026-10-19 18:11 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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, recommending that individuals maintain a three-day supply of provisions, including cash and extra clothing.~~ tension. On October ~~14,~~ 15, millions of participants in California and Puerto Rico ~~prepared to execute~~ executed the drill, ~~focusing on~~ practicing the ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold On’ method. In California, ~~the~~ 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 ~~various agencies, including~~ testing the USGS ShakeAlert early warning system and coordinating with agencies such as the American Red Cross and ~~the regional transit provider Metrolink, which activated emergency protocols and tested early warning technology linked to the USGS ShakeAlert platform.~~ Metrolink.

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