Tsunami siren to ring October 15 for Shakeout emergency drill

The Great Washington ShakeOut, an annual emergency preparedness drill, will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 15.

The ShakeOut seeks to prepare Washingtonians for earthquakes and other emergencies. To participate, people should drop to the ground, take cover under a table or desk and hold on. The event is a chance to imagine what would happen during a major earthquake, and develop an emergency preparedness plan. It’s also a reminder to organize or refresh your emergency supply kit.

During the ShakeOut, coastal tsunami sirens throughout the state, including the one in Point Roberts, will be activated for approximately two minutes, according to a press release from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. The ShakeOut will use a wailing siren sound, rather than the Westminster chimes that are used for monthly tests, according to the press release.

“Preparing Whatcom County, the citizens and our communities for earthquakes, and the possible expected tsunamis that may follow, is one of the highest priorities for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management,” county sheriff Bill Elfo said in the press release.

Sign up to participate and find additional information about how to be prepared for an earthquake or other disaster at shakeout.org/washington.