@emd.wa.gov
Official site of the Washington Emergency Management Division. Content Guidelines: https://mil.wa.gov/social Not here 24/7 #wawx #EMGchat Preparedness tips: https://mil.wa.gov/preparedness Alerts: https://mil.wa.gov/alerts
We spring forward this Sunday - March 8! ⏲️🌞 While you change your clocks, take a few minutes to refresh your emergency supplies:
🔋check batteries
🥫check food dates
🩹 restock first-aid kits
🛌 keep sturdy shoes + a light by your bed
What’s your favorite preparedness tip?
mil.wa.gov/preparedness
We spring forward this Sunday - March 8! ⏲️🌞 While you change your clocks, take a few minutes to refresh your emergency supplies:
🔋check batteries
🥫check food dates
🩹 restock first-aid kits
🛌 keep sturdy shoes + a light by your bed
What’s your favorite preparedness tip?
mil.wa.gov/preparedness
25 years ago today, the Nisqually quake rattled Puget Sound. historylink.org/File/3039
Today is Nisqually Earthquake Awareness Day! “Prepare, don’t despair”—that’s our message on the 25th anniversary of the 2001 M6.8 earthquake. Learn more in this clip: www.king5.com/article/news...
In a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake event, the roads will be impassable. Help will come but it will take time and, yes, you will be on your own. We will be reliant on federal and outside help. I’m sorry this is the first you’re hearing of this. A report you can view: mil.wa.gov/asset/5ba420...
The reality is, if this was a larger quake, you’d be on your own, which is why we’ve been saying for years that you need to be prepared for at least two weeks of supplies. We’ve got tips at mil.wa.gov/preparedness
Local emergency management agencies have plans in place. You can request those plans from the counties where you live and work. The 6.8 earthquake caused billions of dollars in damage but the region was able to recover rather quickly in the scheme of things.
Ok. So, when someone cast earthquake did you always remember that game?
Here’s a fact you may not know: There’s an 85% chance of another Nisqually-type deep earthquake of magnitude 6.5 or greater striking the region sometime in the next 50 years. The “big one” gets a lot of press but these smaller earthquakes can cause A LOT of damage. mil.wa.gov/earthquake
A proclamation for Nisqually Earthquake Remembrance Day on Feb. 28, 2026. It states, in part, "Commemorating 25th Anniversary of the Nisqually Earthquake." WHEREAS, twenty-five years ago, on February 28, 2001, the Nisqually earthquake struck Washington, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure, and reminding all Washingtonians that we have the second highest earthquake risk in the United States; and WHEREAS, the earthquake caused an estimated $4 billion dollars in damage, and additional economic disruption, making it the costliest earthquake in the United States in recent history; and WHEREAS, the Nisqually earthquake resulted in more than 400 injuries, highlighting the critical importance of earthquake preparedness, making our highest-risk buildings safer, and our communities resilient... and I call upon all Washingtonians, state agencies, local and tribal governments, businesses, labor, and residents, to honor those affected by this historic event by renewing our shared commitment to earthquake preparedness and seismic resilience; advancing the identification and retrofitting of unreinforced masonry buildings and other vulnerable infrastructure; continuing implementation of the Resilient Washington recommendations; and working together to protect lives, strengthen communities, preserve affordable housing, support a skilled workforce, and build a safer, more resilient, and sustainable Washington for generations to come. Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of Washington this 18th day of February, 2026.
Saturday is officially Nisqually Earthquake Remembrance Day, as designated by @governorferguson.bsky.social
🗓️25 years since the Feb. 28, 2001 earthquake.
We encourage you to talk with your family about our state's earthquakes. Learn the risks and what to do at mil.wa.gov/earthquake
The U.S. Small Business Administration is opening outreach centers in our state for those who need assistance with the disaster loan application process.
Businesses, private nonprofits, and homeowners or renters affected by December's historic flooding can apply.
Locations:
“If Washington has the will, we certainly have the means to make our state safer and better before the next time an earthquake strikes.” Read this op-ed from PNSN director @haroldtobin@bsky.social in today’s Seattle Times about how we can #FixtheBricks: www.seattletimes.com/opinion/befo...
A proclamation for Nisqually Earthquake Remembrance Day on Feb. 28, 2026. It states, in part, "Commemorating 25th Anniversary of the Nisqually Earthquake." WHEREAS, twenty-five years ago, on February 28, 2001, the Nisqually earthquake struck Washington, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure, and reminding all Washingtonians that we have the second highest earthquake risk in the United States; and WHEREAS, the earthquake caused an estimated $4 billion dollars in damage, and additional economic disruption, making it the costliest earthquake in the United States in recent history; and WHEREAS, the Nisqually earthquake resulted in more than 400 injuries, highlighting the critical importance of earthquake preparedness, making our highest-risk buildings safer, and our communities resilient... and I call upon all Washingtonians, state agencies, local and tribal governments, businesses, labor, and residents, to honor those affected by this historic event by renewing our shared commitment to earthquake preparedness and seismic resilience; advancing the identification and retrofitting of unreinforced masonry buildings and other vulnerable infrastructure; continuing implementation of the Resilient Washington recommendations; and working together to protect lives, strengthen communities, preserve affordable housing, support a skilled workforce, and build a safer, more resilient, and sustainable Washington for generations to come. Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of Washington this 18th day of February, 2026.
Saturday is officially Nisqually Earthquake Remembrance Day, as designated by @governorferguson.bsky.social
🗓️25 years since the Feb. 28, 2001 earthquake.
We encourage you to talk with your family about our state's earthquakes. Learn the risks and what to do at mil.wa.gov/earthquake
They've got a got of good tips for you! See the "trailer" above, then if you want to learn more about their stories and hear more preparedness tips, find the full interviews at:
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Thanks to our team for sharing stories, and for conducting the interviews!
We asked our emergency managers:
Having been through the Nisqually Quake, what can you recommend about #earthquake preparedness in Washington?
Here are some of the highlights of their advice!
(Please feel free to comment with something you learned, too!)
I don't know the answer to that. Using experience from the past, I can say that the rates are typically lower than what one could get if they tried to get a loan on their own, not through SBA.
U.S. Small Business Administration says low interest federal disaster loans are now available to Washington businesses, private nonprofits & residents to offset physical & economic losses from the 2025 Severe Winter Storms occurring Dec. 5 — 22, 2025 #wawx
Details here: www.sba.gov/article/2026...
Thanks for sharing!
It is always fascinating to hear how different two different experiences can be of an earthquake, even when they're so nearby!
Thanks for sharing! Didn't know they made merch for the quake!
It was 30-35 miles deep! If it were only 6, it would have been much more damaging, but over a smaller area.
Here are some additional details from @wadnr.bsky.social!
washingtonstategeology.wordpress.com/2026/02/25/2...
Thanks for sharing! Earthquakes can be stressful times, which can have impacts on your memory. To mitigate the impacts of the stressful situation as much as possible, we recommend practicing your Drop, cover, and hold on before the quake, so you know what to do when the ground shakes!
Thanks for sharing! Did the classroom Drop, Cover, and Hold On?
This Saturday marks 25 years since the Magnitude 6.8 Nisqually earthquake.
Check out some of the events around the state groups like @pnsn1.bsky.social and @wadnr.bsky.social are sharing to help us all learn more about earthquake safety/preparedness.
mil.wa.gov/news/remembe...
Letter signed by members of Congress. Excerpt: Dear Mr. President, As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s February 17 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance due to devastating flood damages incurred from December 5 through 22. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible. The surge of rain in Washington state strained the state’s aging infrastructure, resulting in several levee breaches, leaving residents vulnerable to dangerous floods. In the middle of the night, residents of the city of Pacific were forced to quickly evacuate after a levee failed along the White River. While state and county officials have worked quickly to reinforce the breached sections, these are short-term solutions that leave our communities at risk of future extreme weather events. An initial damage assessment revealed extensive and widespread damage to critical infrastructure and local economies. Highway 2, one of the two major year-round connections between eastern and western Washington state through the Cascade Mountains, suffered several washouts of the roadway which temporarily closed access along the corridor. Extensive repairs led by the Washington State Department of Transportation allowed for a partial reopening, but 14 miles of the highway in Tumwater Canyon will remain closed for months. The only available local detour has been reduced to one-lane due to slope failures, and any cross-state detour to I-90 would add several hours per trip. Thousands of residents and businesses call the Highway 2 corridor home and are negatively impacted by the damage of these storms, not to mention the hundreds of farmers and producers that rely on Highway 2 as a gateway to access the seaports along Puget Sound. This extreme weather event has put significant stress on Washington state’s infrastructure, emergency response teams, and communities across the state.
Last week, we submitted our request to FEMA to declare a Major Disaster as a result of historic flooding and approve our state for the Public Assistance Program. This request is for repairs to our infrastructure. Our preliminary damage assessment is $182.3 million.
Yikes, thanks for sharing! Good to get away from the stairs and all the glass!
Do you remember the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake? WA EMD staff do!
Hear their stories as we approach the 25th Anniversary of the quake!
And also - we want to hear your story – please share below in the comments!
You can watch all 6 full interviews at: youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Map with a star marker for the magnitude 3.163 earthquake located 9.4 km S from Snohomish, WA
PRELIM Earthquake: M3.2, 9.4 km S from Snohomish, WA at 2026/02/24 05:42 PST
http://www.pnsn.org/event/62228281
Did You Feel It?: https://zpr.io/DNxqHsCqx2kg
NEW PODCAST EPISODE: FEBRUARY IS AWARENESS MONTH DEANSWERS What we've learned since the Nisqually earthquake OFFICE of the INSURANCE COMMISSIONER WASHINGTON STATE (Podcast details in caption) WA OIC www. INSURANCE.WA.GOV
What we’ve learned since the Nisqually earthquake:
The Nisqually earthquake in Western Washington on Feb. 28, 2001. As we look back on the event 25 years later, the OIC Answers podcast welcomes on by Anne-marie Marshall-Dody, the @emd.wa.gov Assistant Director for disaster resilience. 🧵
Poster for the 25 Years Since the Nisqually Earthquake Event, with a picture of damage to the city of Seattle in the background. It takes place at the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Theater, at 3930 Brooklyn Ave NE in Seattle, on Feb 24th at 6:30pm. Admission is free. There is a QR code on the right side linking to a registration page.
It's been 25 years since the Nisqually earthquake—are we ready for the next one? Join us at UW next week (Tuesday, Feb 24) for a conversation and Q&A with local experts about earthquake science, policy, & preparedness in the PNW. Register here to attend: www.eventbrite.com/e/25-years-s...
Don’t fumble your preparedness plan — secure your kit, get to know your neighbors and stay hydrated like it’s the fourth quarter!
There are no false starts when it comes to preparedness, the more action you take today to prepare you and your loved ones for an emergency, the better off you'll be when times are stressful. Learn more at mil.wa.gov/preparedness
