Missouri emergency officials urge participation in the 2026 Great ShakeOut

Missouri emergency officials urge participation in the 2026 Great ShakeOut

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Heartland News) - Missouri emergency officials are encouraging Missouri residents to participate in an upcoming earthquake drill meant to sharpen their basic survival techniques.

Registration is now open for the 2026 Great ShakeOut, scheduled for 10:15 a.m. on October 15.

In the annual drill, Missouri and 13 other central U.S. states will practice the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” method which includes dropping to hands and knees, covering the head and neck under sturdy furniture, and holding on until shaking stops.

Officials emphasize that in modern structures, falling debris represents the leading source of earthquake-related injuries.

State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard noted that Missouri has recorded 110 minor earthquakes so far in 2026, primarily centered in the Bootheel region. “The ShakeOut drill is a great opportunity to practice three simple actions so you’ll know what to do when an earthquake occurs, which can happen without warning,” said Remillard.

The New Madrid Seismic Zone is historically one of the nation’s most seismically active regions, which averages...