Washington Will Hold ShakeOut Drill on October 15
Statewide earthquake and tsunami alert testing will take place on October 15, 2026, for over 1 million participants.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Safety
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Washington state is preparing for the annual Great Washington ShakeOut earthquake drill on October 15, 2026. More than 1 million residents have registered to practice life-saving procedures and participate in system-wide testing.
Why it matters
The drill aims to build muscle memory for safe reactions during seismic events while emphasizing the essential role of neighbors in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. It serves as a vital rehearsal for both individuals and communities to improve their readiness for real-world emergencies.
Officials will conduct tests of over 120 tsunami sirens at 10:15 a.m., representing a core component of the statewide exercise. While these sirens will sound, authorities confirmed that lahar sirens in Pierce County will remain silent during this year’s drill.
The players
Columbia Generating Station
This facility is a nuclear power plant located in the Tri-Cities region that will participate in siren testing.
The details
Participants are encouraged to practice the Drop, Cover and Hold On procedure, while schools will simultaneously conduct tsunami evacuation drills. Along with sirens, the test will include the Emergency Alert System on radio and television, and the MyShake Earthquake Early Warning app.
Timeline
The Great Washington ShakeOut drill and associated siren tests occur on October 15, 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
The drill aligns with safety standards maintained by the National Weather Service's TsunamiReady program, extending the state's focus on disaster mitigation. It reflects an ongoing trend of high-frequency emergency testing in seismically active regions compared to historical averages.
Residents should prepare to practice the Drop, Cover and Hold On procedure at 10:15 a.m. to ensure they are ready for real emergencies. Because Wireless Emergency Alerts on cellphones will not be triggered, citizens should rely on local radio, television, or the MyShake app for the test signals.
The takeaway
Regular participation in these drills is the most effective way to ensure rapid, instinctive responses when an earthquake strikes. Residents are encouraged to use this time to review their family emergency plans and confirm their household disaster kits are fully stocked.
Further reading
For additional information on regional preparedness protocols, visit Washington (state) Safety.
More information
Find complete registration details and drill guides on the Great Washington ShakeOut website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My Edmonds News.
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