Tsunami warning siren will sound during statewide earthquake drill

Tsunami warning siren will sound during statewide earthquake drill

Tsunami warning sirens on coastal Washington will be activated October 15 in a special test that is part of the statewide Great Washington ShakeOut earthquake drill.

This test, which begins at 10:15 a.m., will include the real sound of the siren – along with messages indicating it is a test. Typically, monthly tests include the playing of the Westminster chimes, followed by an abbreviated voice message. It’s important to test out the real siren sounds so the public is familiar with its sound and local governments can use it as a training opportunity.

All counties with the All Hazard Alert Broadcast sirens will participate. The exception is Sandy Point at Whatcom County, although the rest of Whatcom County will participate. (Updated Oct. 8, 2015)

The Great Washington ShakeOut features a statewide “drop, cover and hold on” drill on the same time and date.  As part of the Great Washington ShakeOut, participants are encouraged to participate in the drill and then take at least one additional step to prepare themselves and their families for earthquakes. 

Washington will join its West Coast neighbors in Oregon, Idaho, California and British Columbia, as well as 35 other states in one of the largest earthquake drills ever.  As of Oct. 8, more than 950,000 people have signed up to participate in Washington state.  Last year, more than 1 million people participated. More than 40 million people worldwide are expected to be part of the ShakeOut earthquake drill. 

We also encourage participants to take photos of themselves participating in the drill and post those photos to social media using the hashtag #washakeout.

Individuals, families, businesses, schools, colleges, government agencies, and other organizations can register online for the Washington Great ShakeOut drill, obtain drill resources, and more information about earthquake preparedness, at http://www.shakeout.org/washington/.  This year, residents and businesses who can’t do the drill on Oct. 15 are encouraged to register and do the drill when it’s most convenient.