South Carolina to ShakeOut for Earthquake Preparedness Week

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October 8, 2026

Columbia, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed October 11–17, 2026, as Earthquake Preparedness Week in South Carolina. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and members of the State Emergency Response Team are encouraging residents to take time this week to learn more about the history of earthquakes in South Carolina and how to best prepare for them.

During the week, SCEMD will participate in the Great Southeast ShakeOut, a regional earthquake safety drill scheduled for Thursday, October 15, at 10:15 a.m. More than 1 million people across eight states and Washington, D.C., are expected to participate. The Great Southeast ShakeOut is part of an international campaign in which participants practice how to stay safe during an earthquake by following three key steps: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

  • 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 the shaking stops (remain on your knees and cover 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. 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. 

So far in 2026, more than a dozen low-magnitude earthquakes have been recorded in South Carolina. According to geologists at the College of Charleston, the state typically experiences between 10 and 20 earthquakes each year.

The South Carolina Department of Insurance urges residents to consider earthquake insurance, as standard homeowners policies typically don’t cover earthquake damage. Coverage can be added to your current policy or purchased separately. To get help finding earthquake insurance, contact the Office of Consumer Services at 803-737-6180.

The official South Carolina Earthquake Guide and Earthquake.sc website contains checklists and tips on how to prepare for earthquakes.

The SC Emergency Manager mobile app includes an earthquake map and allows users to sign up for alerts when seismic activity occurs. The app is free on the Apple App Store and Google Play.