Oakland Hosts NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE DRILL in Great Oakland ShakeOut

Published on October 16, 2025

view of frank ogawa plaza from above

OAKLAND, CA — October 2025 marks 36 years since the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989, a 15-second tremor that left Oakland with deep scars, 42 lives lost, countless injuries, and widespread damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. That disaster exposed the vulnerabilities of our community, but also revealed the strength and resilience of our residents. In remembrance of Loma Prieta, the City took part in International ShakeOut Day to reinforce the importance of earthquake preparedness and the lifesaving practice of Drop, Cover, and Hold On. 

 

Held annually on the third Thursday of October, this year's International ShakeOut Day was held on Thursday, October 16, 2025. At 10:16 a.m., the City of Oakland conducted a live Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill with additional activities taking place in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza as part of the Great Oakland ShakeOut.  

 

This year’s event included: 

  • A facility-wide evacuation drill for Oakland city staff; 
  • Emergency communications exercises to test readiness; 
  • Preparedness resource tables from Cal OES, ReadyAmerica, and local nonprofit partners; and 
  • A Shaker Truck experience from ReadyAmerica for media demonstrations and public education. 

The ShakeOut drill is designed primarily to ensure Oakland city staff are prepared to serve the community when they are needed most. While the focus is internal readiness, the event was held in a public space where media and community members were welcome to observe. 

 

The City encourages residents who were unable to attend in person to take part in the ShakeOut by practicing these simple but vital steps: 

 

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees.  

  • This position protects you from being knocked down by shaking and reduces your chance of being hit by falling or flying objects. 

COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand. 

  • If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter 
  • If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall 
  • Stay on your knees; bend over to protect your head 

HOLD ON until the shaking stops. 

  • Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts 

No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands. 

  • If you have difficulty getting onto the ground, or cannot get back up again without help, then follow these recommendations: 
  • If you are in a recliner or bed: Cover your head and neck with your arms or a pillow until the shaking stops. 
  • If you use a cane: Drop, Cover, and Hold On or sit on a chair, bed, etc. and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane near you so it can be used when the shaking stops. 
  • If you use a walker or wheelchair: LOCK your wheels (if applicable). If using a walker carefully get as low as possible. Bend over and COVER your head/neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow. Then HOLD ON until the shaking stops. 

For those with mobility challenges, adapt the steps as needed – for example, cover your head and neck with your arms or a pillow while in bed, recliner, or wheelchair, and hold on until the shaking stops. 

 

More details about how to be safe during earthquakes, in many locations, are at www.EarthquakeCountry.org/step5. 

 

Millions of people across the nation and around the globe take part in ShakeOut activities. The Great Oakland ShakeOut is coordinated by the City of Oakland, in partnership with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, ReadyAmerica, Earthquake Country Alliance, and numerous local nonprofit organizations. ShakeOut is coordinated globally by the Statewide California Earthquake Center at the University of Southern California. 

 

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