On Thursday morning, October 15, people throughout Santa Clarita and across California will take a brief break from their daily routines to practice something that could save lives when the ground starts shaking.

At 10:15 a.m., schools, businesses, government agencies and families are encouraged to participate in the 2026 Great California ShakeOut, an annual earthquake drill designed to help people prepare for a major earthquake.

The drill comes as earthquakes continue to be recorded around the world. For Santa Clarita residents, the importance of preparedness hits particularly close to home, with the area’s proximity to the San Andreas Fault and the memory of the 1994 Northridge earthquake underscoring the potential consequences of a major seismic event.

What Is The Great ShakeOut?

The Great ShakeOut is an annual earthquake preparedness exercise that encourages people to practice the recommended response to earthquake shaking: Drop, Cover and Hold On.

Participants are encouraged to drop to their hands and knees, take cover beneath a sturdy table or desk when possible, and hold on until the shaking stops.

IMAGE

The international drill takes place on the third Thursday of October, with millions of people around the world participating in earthquake safety exercises at schools, workplaces and homes.

The 2026 Great California ShakeOut is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, at 10:15 a.m. local time. Residents who cannot participate at that time can still practice the drill at another time and register their participation through the official ShakeOut website.

The objective is straightforward: make the proper response to an earthquake familiar before an emergency occurs.

Recent Earthquakes Highlight The Importance Of Preparedness

Earthquakes occur worldwide every day, and recent seismic activity includes reports of significant earthquakes in the Pacific region and along other active fault systems.

Recent earthquake reports cite a major earthquake near Panama and a magnitude 6.7 to 6.9 earthquake along the central Mid-Atlantic Ridge on October 12 and 13.

Smaller earthquakes and tremors have also been recorded in regions including Alaska, California, Nevada, Japan, Indonesia and Chile.

Although earthquakes in distant parts of the world do not mean a major earthquake is imminent in Southern California, they highlight the importance of understanding seismic risks and being prepared for an event that can occur with little or no warning.

Scientists cannot reliably predict the exact date, location and magnitude of an impending earthquake. Preparedness efforts such as the Great ShakeOut are intended to help people respond effectively when one occurs.

Why Earthquake Preparedness Matters In Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita is located in a seismically active part of Southern California, where several major fault systems pose earthquake risks to surrounding communities.

The San Andreas Fault, one of California’s most significant earthquake hazards, runs through the region west and north of the Santa Clarita Valley.

A large earthquake on a major regional fault could produce powerful shaking, potentially damaging buildings, roads, bridges, utilities and other critical infrastructure.

The consequences of a major earthquake could extend beyond structural damage. Residents could experience power outages, interrupted water service, damaged gas lines, blocked roadways and disruptions to phone service, making it difficult to contact loved ones or receive assistance.

The 1994 Northridge earthquake remains a powerful reminder of what a damaging earthquake can do in the greater Los Angeles region.

The magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck early on Jan. 17, 1994, killing dozens of people, injuring thousands and causing extensive property damage. The shaking also severely damaged freeway infrastructure, including structures at the Interstate 5 and Interstate 14 interchange near the Newhall Pass.

The earthquake demonstrated that even a quake that is not among the largest possible events can cause devastating consequences when strong shaking affects populated areas.

For Santa Clarita residents, the lesson is that earthquake preparedness should not be put off until after a major event occurs.

How Residents Can Prepare

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, known as Cal OES, recommends taking practical steps before an earthquake to reduce the risk of injury and improve the ability to recover afterward.

Residents can begin by securing heavy furniture and other objects that could fall during shaking, identifying safer places to take cover in frequently occupied rooms, and developing a disaster plan with family members.

Cal OES also recommends preparing emergency supplies. Residents should be ready to manage on their own for at least three days following a major disaster, when utilities, transportation and communication services could be disrupted.

An emergency kit can include drinking water, nonperishable food, medications, a flashlight, batteries, a first-aid kit, essential documents and supplies for pets.

Families should also establish a communication plan, including how to reconnect if household members are separated when an earthquake occurs.

During shaking, the recommended action is to Drop, Cover and Hold On. People should avoid running outside while the ground is moving and stay away from windows and objects that could fall. Those who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices should follow the recommended Lock, Cover and Hold On guidance.

After the shaking stops, residents should check for injuries and immediate hazards, including damaged utilities, and follow instructions from emergency officials.

California residents can also download the free MyShake app, which provides earthquake early-warning alerts that may give people a few seconds to take protective action before strong shaking arrives. The amount of warning varies depending on the earthquake’s location, and an alert may arrive after shaking has already begun for people close to the source.

What Is An Earthquake Advisory?

Cal OES also provides information about Earthquake Advisories, which are issued when scientists identify a short-term elevated likelihood of a damaging earthquake following seismic activity that raises concern.

The advisories are developed using scientific evaluations from the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council, which reviews the history and available data associated with a particular earthquake sequence.

If an advisory is warranted, Cal OES communicates the findings and recommended precautions to affected local emergency management agencies before distributing information intended to educate the public.

An advisory may encourage residents to prepare emergency kits, review family communication and disaster plans, and practice earthquake safety procedures.

However, an Earthquake Advisory is not a prediction that a damaging earthquake will occur, nor is it equivalent to a formal earthquake warning. Earthquakes remain difficult to predict, and even after a potential foreshock, a larger earthquake is still uncertain.

The purpose of an advisory is to communicate scientific information about a potentially elevated risk and encourage reasonable precautions.

Taking A Few Minutes Could Make A Difference

The Great ShakeOut provides Santa Clarita residents with an opportunity to turn earthquake preparedness into a routine rather than something considered only after a disaster.

At 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, residents can participate from home, work, or school by practicing Drop, Cover and Hold On.

Beyond the drill, residents can use the occasion to check emergency supplies, review communication plans and identify potential hazards in their homes.

Although no one can know exactly when the next major earthquake will strike Southern California, preparing in advance can help individuals and families respond more safely when it does.

For more information or to register for the 2026 Great California ShakeOut, visit the website.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.