Heads up! The Great SouthEast ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is happening this Thursday, Oct. 16, at 10:16 a.m. (that’s 10/16 at 10:16), and UMW will participate by testing our emergency notification system. Be prepared for a brief disruption on Thursday morning and visit the Great ShakeOut website for more information about how to prepare for and react to an earthquake to stay safe.
The test of UMW Alerts may include text messages, emails, desktop alerts, phone calls and sirens or messages from the area warning system on campus.
Students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in UMW Alerts with contact information registered with the University, including UMW email address and individual cell phone numbers, and the system is reset at the start of classes in the fall semester. For more information or to update your contact information, visit https://www.umw.edu/alerts/.
Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools, and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes, and to improve preparedness. Classes, clubs, and residence halls can participate by reviewing the emergency guide and practicing basic safety steps during the drill. Many of these steps can be completed in advance, such as:
- Creating a plan with your family or roommates, or knowing where your residence hall will assemble if evacuated from the building.
- Checking that heavy objects are stored on lower shelves or secured in cabinets or drawers
- Knowing to drop to the floor or under furniture, cover your head and neck with your arms and hands, and hold on to the table or desk if you are under one.
Moving away from buildings and trees, if you are outdoors, to a large open area. Take cover indoors if you can, away from windows and objects that may fall or break during an earthquake.