On Thursday morning, life across California paused for a critical ritual. At precisely 10:16 a.m., millions of residents participated in the 17th annual Great California ShakeOut, the state’s largest earthquake preparedness drill. From schools to offices, people practiced the life-saving mantra of ‘drop, cover, and hold on,’ a synchronized exercise in survival for a state perpetually waiting for the “big one.”
What is the Great California ShakeOut?
Started in 2008, the Great California ShakeOut is a statewide earthquake drill held every year. It’s designed to educate people of all ages on what to do to protect themselves during an earthquake. The drill is built around a simple, life-saving procedure: drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture like a table, and hold on until the shaking stops. This year, participation was immense, with nearly 980,000 people registered in San Diego alone and over 10.3 million across the entire state.
California is shaking things up! Join millions across the state for the Great ShakeOut today. Remember to DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON — practice makes preparedness!
Visit https://t.co/1suORMrgsj for earthquake safety tips. pic.twitter.com/ieBMjbN5Fd
— AlertSanDiego (@AlertSanDiegoCo) October 16, 2025
How Did People Experience the Drill?
To make the training more impactful, emergency services used interactive tools. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) brought a mobile “shake trailer” to San Diego’s Waterfront Park. This simulator gave residents a visceral taste of what a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake feels like, complete with a violently rattling floor and swaying surroundings. Between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m., visitors also learned about earthquake early warning systems and the importance of having an emergency plan and kit ready.
Why is This Drill So Important for California?
The ShakeOut is not just a theoretical exercise; it is a rehearsal for a highly probable future event. The drill specifically simulates a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the southern San Andreas Fault. According to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) models, such an earthquake could bring four minutes of strong shaking, leading to around 2,000 deaths, tens of thousands of injuries, and over $200 billion in losses. In San Diego County, the danger is serious—there’s a 93% chance of a major quake within 50 kilometers over the next 50 years.
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What Should Every Household Do to Prepare?
The drill serves as a crucial reminder for personal preparedness. Christopher Heiser, Executive Director of San Diego’s Office of Emergency Services, emphasized that the event is a “perfect reminder to make sure your family and loved ones have an emergency plan.” Experts advise that every household must be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours after a major disaster. This means having a first-aid kit, prescribed medications, non-perishable food, and one gallon of water per person per day. Residents are also urged to learn how to turn off their gas lines to prevent fires in the event of a leak after a quake.
