At precisely 10:17 a.m. this Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, millions of people worldwide will take part in International ShakeOut Day, an annual earthquake preparedness drill aimed at promoting safety practices in the event of an earthquake.
People across Washington state and beyond will “drop, cover, and hold on” as part of the coordinated safety exercise.
Although 10:17 a.m. on Oct. 17 is the official time for the drill, individuals, businesses, schools, and organizations are encouraged to schedule their drills at any time of the year. Participants can register their ShakeOut drills online, and the event can be conducted in multiple locations simultaneously through video conferencing.
For those living or working in coastal areas, ShakeOut Day provides an excellent opportunity to practice tsunami evacuation routes. Residents can find more information on how to prepare for tsunamis at TsunamiZone.org.
“This event is a critical reminder to practice earthquake safety, and it’s an opportunity for people worldwide to get better prepared,” organizers said. “We hope everyone will take a few minutes on this day—or any day—to ensure they know what to do when the ground shakes.”
To participate or learn more, visit https://www.shakeout.org/washington/.
