If you’re signed up for AC Alert, you may have received a text Wednesday morning reminding you about Thursday’s statewide earthquake drill.
Here’s what you need to know about the drill and how to prepare for the next earthquake.
What’s the drill?
The 2026 Great California ShakeOut takes place Thursday, Oct. 15, at 10:15 a.m. Held annually on the third Thursday of October, it’s the world’s largest annual earthquake drill.
Millions of Californians are expected to practice three steps to protect themselves during an earthquake: drop, cover, and hold on. If you want to participate, you can register at ShakeOut.org. Even though it’s scheduled for 10:15 a.m., you can do the drill anytime, anywhere. The ShakeOut website offers guidance for individuals and groups participating in tomorrow’s drill.
So far, Alameda County has 462,384 registered participants, a slight decrease from 484,000 last year. The county’s highest number of registered participants was 592,594 in 2019.
This week, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has hosted its annual Great California ShakeOut Tour, giving residents in San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego a chance to experience a simulated magnitude 7.0 earthquake and learn about emergency preparedness. That’s about as big as the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the last big one to cause deaths and major damage across Northern California.
How else can I prepare for an earthquake?
Alameda County’s AC Alert system encourages residents to download MyShake Earthquake Alerts, a free smartphone app that sends time-sensitive notifications when tremors are detected nearby. It also provides information about recent earthquakes and reported damage.
For more tips on preparing for an earthquake and resources to help you recover afterward, check out The Oaklandside’s earthquake preparedness guide or Alameda County’s Office of Emergency Services website.
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