On Thursday at 10:15 AM, the Puerto Rico government issued an alert as part of the Gran ShakeOut 2026 event, prompting an earthquake drill across the island. The alert, sent to mobile phones, encouraged participants to practice the 'Agáchate, cúbrete y sujétate' protection technique. The event was supported by local media outlets, which interrupted their programming to broadcast the signal.
The drill complemented the work of the Puerto Rico Earthquake Preparation Committee, which involves state and federal entities such as the Department of Public Safety, the Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Bureau, and FEMA. Governor Jenniffer González announced the drill earlier this month, stating that its purpose is to ensure that people’s first reaction in the event of an earthquake is not based on improvisation.
The drill has been held in Puerto Rico for 15 years, and this year’s event aimed to encourage families to review their emergency plans, considering the needs of children, older adults, and people with disabilities.