October 17, 2024
Skagit County Joins the Great ShakeOut 2024
Skagit County is proud to announce its active participation in the Great ShakeOut 2024, a worldwide earthquake drill and preparedness event scheduled on October 17, 2024. This collaborative effort includes the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, the cities of Anacortes and Sedro-Woolley, and the Town of La Conner.
The Great ShakeOut drill takes place today, October 17, 2024, at 10:17 AM local time and aims to educate and prepare the community for the possibility of an earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Participants will practice the essential "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" response, which is crucial in reducing injuries and fatalities during an earthquake.
Skagit County will also conduct a county-wide test of our CodeRed and IPAWS community alert systems. This is only a test and not an actual earthquake. Please do not call 911. Both systems are designed to keep residents informed and safe during emergencies; it is vital to test our systems to ensure their effectiveness. We encourage all community members to sign up for local critical alerts and warnings through CodeRed.
Additionally, the Washington State Emergency Management Division will sound the tsunami sirens. The sirens will sound off with the actual wailing sound, not the typical Westminster chimes. If you are in a tsunami zone, please do not call 911; this is just a test.
"Preparing for natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, is a top priority in emergency management. Our region’s susceptibility to the effects of a Cascadia Subduction Zone generated earthquake and subsequent tsunami event, makes earthquake and tsunami preparedness essential for everyone," said Julie de Losada, Chief of Emergency Management of Skagit County. "The Great ShakeOut provides an excellent opportunity for our entire community to come together, ensuring personal preparedness plans are in place and emergency workers are ready to effectively coordinate county-wide response.”
Fire departments and districts, law enforcement, 911, EMS, dike districts, as well as town, city, and county public works and planning departments, all play critical roles in earthquake preparedness. Their involvement underscores the importance of coordinated efforts between various emergency response teams and community organizations to safeguard residents and public infrastructure.
"We urge all residents, schools, businesses, and organizations to participate in the drill by practicing your emergency plans, including Drop, Cover, Hold On," said Don McDermott, Skagit County Sheriff and Director of Emergency Management. "Earthquake preparedness is a community effort, participation in the Great ShakeOut is something everyone can do to help keep Skagit County safe and resilient."
For more information on how to participate in the Great ShakeOut 2024 or to access earthquake preparedness resources including CodeRed, please visit the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management webpage or the Washington State Emergency Management Division.
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