South Carolina to ShakeOut, Launch New Earthquake Prep Resource Next Week

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October 13, 2022

Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed Earthquake Preparedness Week for 2022 be observed October 16-20 in South Carolina. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to take this opportunity to learn about our state’s seismic fault system and how best to prepare for earthquakes. Highlights of the week will be the launch of a new earthquake preparedness resource for South Carolina and the Great Southeast ShakeOut on Thursday, October 20 at 10:20 a.m.

More than 1.92 million people across eight states and the District of Columbia will take part in the Great Southeast ShakeOut earthquake safety drill. The regional ShakeOut drill is part of an international effort in which participants simultaneously practice how to stay safe during an earthquake — “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”. For most people, in most situations, this means to:

  • DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees;
  • COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand, as you crawl for shelter under a nearby table or desk;
  • HOLD ON to your shelter with one hand until shaking stops (remain on your knees and covering your head and neck with your other arm and hand).
  • NOTE: People who have difficulty getting around, or cannot get back up again without help, can practice earthquake safety in many ways.

Schools, businesses, organizations, government agencies, communities, and households are all encouraged to participate. Worldwide, more than 43 million people are expected to participate in Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills this year.

Registration on the Great Southeast ShakeOut site is an important part of this event. This event is open to everyone in South Carolina. To register, go to www.shakeout.org/southeast. 

Similar to other emergency preparedness drills sponsored by SCEMD, the signal to begin the drill will be broadcast next Thursday at 10:20 a.m. on NOAA tone-alert weather radio and broadcast media. All media are encouraged to participate in the ShakeOut by broadcasting the drill message issued by SCEMD and the National Weather Service. Resources to broadcast or conduct your own ShakeOut can be found here and here.

Our state normally experiences approximately 10 to 20 earthquakes annually; however, this year’s swarm of more than 80 low-magnitude earthquakes in Kershaw County highlights earthquakes can occur anywhere in South Carolina.

The epicenter of the largest earthquake ever recorded along the eastern United States seaboard was just outside of Charleston on August 31, 1886. The 7.3 magnitude quake devastated the region and was felt from Chicago to Cuba. According to a study commissioned by SCEMD, an earthquake of similar magnitude occurring today would result in tremendous loss of life, severe property damage and extreme economic loss.