The City of Oakland marked the 36th anniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake by participating in International ShakeOut Day on October 16, 2025. The Loma Prieta Earthquake, which lasted 15 seconds, resulted in 42 deaths, many injuries, and widespread damage to Oakland’s homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
To commemorate the disaster and highlight the need for earthquake preparedness, Oakland conducted a live Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill at 10:16 a.m. in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza as part of the Great Oakland ShakeOut. The event was open to the public and media, though it primarily focused on ensuring city staff are ready to respond in emergencies.
The City encouraged residents unable to attend to practice the Drop, Cover, and Hold On steps at home: “DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand. HOLD ON until the shaking stops.” The City also advised those without shelter to protect their head and neck with both arms and hands, and recommended adaptations for people with mobility challenges.
The Great Oakland ShakeOut is coordinated by the City of Oakland in collaboration with organizations such as the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, ReadyAmerica, Earthquake Country Alliance, and other local nonprofits. The global ShakeOut effort is managed by the Statewide California Earthquake Center at the University of Southern California.
More information on earthquake safety can be found at www.EarthquakeCountry.org/step5.
“DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand. HOLD ON until the shaking stops.”
“No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.”
“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.”
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.
