Great Southeast ShakeOut earthquake drill set for Thursday across North Carolina

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina emergency management officials are encouraging residents across the state to participate in the Great Southeast ShakeOut earthquake drill on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The annual drill encourages people to practice three important earthquake safety steps: drop, cover and hold on.

While earthquakes can be felt throughout North Carolina, emergency management officials say the greatest risk is in the state’s mountains, particularly along the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

Earthquakes felt in North Carolina can also originate from seismic zones outside the state, including eastern Tennessee, Charleston, South Carolina, Giles County, Virginia, central Virginia and New Madrid.

Although large, damaging earthquakes are uncommon in North Carolina, the state has experienced 23 damaging earthquakes between 1735 and 2026.

Some of the most significant events occurred in Wilkesboro in 1861, Charleston in 1886, Asheville in 1916, Mitchell County in 1926 and Sparta in 2020.

The most recent major event was a magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck Sparta in Alleghany County on Aug. 9, 2020.

That earthquake resulted in more than 550 reports of damage to homes and commercial buildings across the county.

As part of the Great Southeast ShakeOut, emergency management officials are reminding residents to follow these steps during an earthquake:

• Drop: Get down on your hands and knees to avoid being knocked over and reduce the risk of injury from falling objects.
• Cover: Protect your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy desk or table is nearby, crawl underneath it. Otherwise, move next to an interior wall and stay low.
• Hold on: Remain in place until the shaking stops. If you are under a desk or table, hold on to it and be prepared to move with it if it shifts. If no shelter is available, continue protecting your head and neck with both arms and hands.

Officials say practicing these steps can help people respond quickly and safely if an earthquake occurs.

The Great Southeast ShakeOut is intended to raise awareness about earthquake preparedness and encourage residents to know what to do before, during and after an earthquake.