Seattle Emergency Kit — Personalized for Your Risks

Local Hazard History

Seattle faces earthquakes from several sources. The 2001 Nisqually earthquake (magnitude 6.8) caused widespread damage across the region. Shallow crustal faults like the Seattle Fault run directly beneath the city, and offshore lies the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which the USGS warns can produce magnitude-9.0+ megaquakes and tsunamis — the last struck in 1700. Communities near Mount Rainier also face lahar (volcanic mudflow) risk.

When Risk Peaks

• Year-round: Earthquakes strike without warning and have no season
• October: Washington's Great ShakeOut drill — an annual reset for your plan
• Fall–Winter: Heavy rain and windstorms drive flooding and power outages
• Anytime: A Cascadia megaquake could disrupt the region for weeks

What to Pack for Seattle

Because a major Cascadia quake could cut off roads, water, and power region-wide, local officials urge planning for two weeks of self-sufficiency — not the usual 72 hours:

• Two weeks of water and food where you have room to store it
• Sturdy shoes and gloves by every bed for broken glass
• Secure water heaters, bookcases, and heavy furniture in advance
• Know whether you're in a tsunami or lahar evacuation zone
• A battery or hand-crank radio for updates when networks fail

Local Resources

• Seattle Office of Emergency Management — City preparedness guidance and hazard maps.
• AlertSeattle — The city's official emergency alert and notification system.
• USGS Earthquake Hazards — Real-time earthquake maps and ShakeAlert information.