On Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at 10:16 a.m., people throughout B.C. will join the Great British Columbia ShakeOut earthquake drill to practice how to drop, cover and hold on.

“Practising earthquake preparedness helps keep people safe when it matters most,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “Participating in ShakeOut BC, building an emergency kit and creating a home emergency plan are simple but effective steps people can take to be ready for an emergency.”

ShakeOut BC is the province’s largest earthquake drill. Hundreds of thousands of people participate each year. Anyone can take part in the drill. Individuals, families, schools, businesses, local governments and community groups are encouraged to register and participate. Registration is free and provides access to resources and tips to help people plan their own drills.

B.C. is the most seismically active region in Canada. Approximately 4,000 earthquakes are recorded each year. Most are too small to feel, but a large earthquake could happen at any time. To help protect people, the federal Earthquake Early Warning system is now fully operational in B.C. The system uses a network of sensors to detect earthquakes and sends alerts automatically to cellphones, radio and television through the National Public Alerting System. These alerts can now provide people with crucial seconds of advance warning before strong shaking begins, giving time to take protective action.

The Province continues to strengthen overall preparedness and invest in safer infrastructure. In 2022, the Province updated its earthquake response plan, and in 2023 tested it through a large-scale exercise involving local governments, First Nations and emergency partners. Lessons from that exercise are being incorporated in earthquake response planning.

“In British Columbia, where seismic activity is a real threat, earthquake preparedness is essential. A few proactive steps today can make a difference tomorrow,” said Naomi Yamamoto, president, BC Earthquake Alliance Society. “Securing your home, building an emergency kit and knowing your emergency plan empowers you to protect your loved ones. Earthquakes strike without warning. Being ready is the strongest defence we have.”

ShakeOut Week runs Oct. 13-18, 2025. This year’s theme is: “If you are prepared for earthquakes, you are prepared for nearly anything.”

The provincial ShakeOut BC drill and media event is led by the BC Earthquake Alliance and hosted by the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, with support from the ShakeOut BC Planning Committee and Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Quick Facts:

• B.C. has experienced four magnitude 7.0 or greater earthquakes in the past 130 years in the southwestern part of the province.
• Recent provincial investments in seismic safety include approximately $7 million for seismic retrofits and improvements to provincial bridges.
• BC Building Code provisions for seismic design were updated in 2025, helping strengthen homes and buildings across the province.
• Since 2017, 71 schools have been upgraded or replaced through the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Seismic Mitigation Program, to ensure more than 39,000 students are learning in seismically safer classrooms.
• More than 700,000 people have registered to participate in ShakeOut BC 2025.

​Learn More:

To register and learn more about ShakeOut BC, visit: https://www.shakeoutbc.ca/

To learn more about preparing for an earthquake, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/earthquakes-tsunamis/earthquakes

For information during active emergencies, follow EmergencyInfoBC:
https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/
X: https://x.com/emergencyinfobc

For more information about Earthquake Early Warning, watch: https://youtu.be/0YnJ5kvfNt0