ShakeAlert
The Stanwood-Camano School District is committed to providing safe learning environments for every student. One way we do that is through ShakeAlert, an earthquake early warning system that can provide valuable seconds of warning before strong shaking reaches our schools.
Stanwood-Camano was the first school district in Washington state to connect a school to the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) ShakeAlert system when it was installed at Stanwood Elementary in 2019. Today, all district buildings are connected through a centralized intercom system that automatically broadcasts an earthquake warning when a qualifying seismic event is detected.
What is ShakeAlert?
ShakeAlert is an earthquake early warning system developed by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners.
The system uses a network of more than 1,600 seismic sensors located throughout the West Coast to detect earthquakes as soon as they begin. Because the first seismic waves generated by an earthquake travel faster than the stronger shaking that typically causes damage, the system can issue an alert before the most intense shaking arrives.
Depending on where the earthquake occurs, that warning may provide just a few seconds — or up to 1 minute — for people to take protective action.
How does it work in our schools?
When ShakeAlert detects a significant earthquake that is expected to impact our area, the district's centralized intercom system automatically broadcasts an earthquake warning throughout our schools.
Students and staff immediately follow the district's earthquake response procedures by:
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Drop
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Cover
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Hold On
Those few seconds of advance notice can make a meaningful difference by allowing people to move away from windows, take cover under sturdy furniture, and protect themselves before shaking begins.
Practicing our response
Technology is only one part of earthquake preparedness.
Each October, students and staff throughout the district participate in the Great American ShakeOut, a statewide earthquake preparedness drill. During the drill, we test our ShakeAlert system and practice the protective actions that would be taken during a real earthquake.
Regular practice helps ensure students and staff know how to respond quickly and confidently during an emergency.
ShakeAlert for families
ShakeAlert is also available to the public.
Families can receive earthquake early warnings on their mobile devices by downloading the official MyShake app or by enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts on supported smartphones. Receiving alerts at home, work, or while traveling can provide valuable time to protect yourself during an earthquake.
Frequently asked questions
How much warning will we receive? The amount of warning depends on the location and size of the earthquake. Some earthquakes may provide only a few seconds of notice, while others could provide up to 1 minute of warning before strong shaking arrives.
Does ShakeAlert predict earthquakes? No. ShakeAlert does not predict earthquakes. Instead, it rapidly detects an earthquake after it begins and immediately sends alerts to areas that are expected to experience shaking.
Will every earthquake trigger an alert? No. The system is designed to alert people when shaking is expected to reach levels that could affect safety. Smaller earthquakes or events farther away may not activate the district's warning system.
Where can I learn more?
Learn more about the U.S. Geological Survey's ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system and how it works: