South Carolina Scheduled October Earthquake Drill

South Carolina encouraged residents, schools, businesses and public agencies to practice earthquake safety during Earthquake Preparedness Week, October 11–17. An October 8 announcement from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division identified the Great Southeast ShakeOut as a central activity.

The regional drill was scheduled for October 15 at 10:15 a.m. SCEMD said the exercise would give households and organizations an opportunity to rehearse protective actions, joining a broader campaign across eight states and Washington, D.C.

The agency’s guidance centers on dropping to hands and knees, protecting the head and neck, taking shelter under a nearby desk or table when possible, and holding on until shaking stops. Its announcement also links to adapted safety guidance for people with mobility limitations.

SCEMD directed residents to the official South Carolina Earthquake Guide and Earthquake.sc for checklists and planning resources. It also identified the free SC Emergency Manager app as a source of earthquake mapping and alert options. The announcement describes a scheduled exercise, rather than a prediction of an earthquake.