On 18 October at 10.18 a.m. the Great Southeast Earthquake Drill will begin. Prior to the drill beginning The Emergency Alert Network will send out a reminder message at 10.00 a.m. The drill will last for ten minutes concluding at 10.28 a.m. The drill covers Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. At present, there are 837, 292 registered participants. A number of other states and territories will be participating on the same day and the Shake Out website lists 11.6 million participants currently registered.

The general guidelines for most situations are to DROP to the ground. TAKE COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table. HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there is not a table or desk near you, drop to the floor in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table. Studies of injuries and deaths caused by earthquakes in the United States over the last several decades indicate that people are much more likely to be injured by falling or flying objects than to die in a collapsed building. Drop, Cover and Hold On offers the best overall level of protection in most situations.