Metropolitan Earthquake Drill in Mexico City and Edomex: Alarms to Sound on Loudspeakers and Cell Phones on February 18th
Mexico City, February 11, 2026 – For the first time in history, Mexico City (CDMX) and the State of Mexico (Edomex) will conduct a joint metropolitan earthquake drill. The seismic alert will not only activate through C5 loudspeakers but will also reach cell phones in both entities. This significant exercise is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18th, at 11:00 AM.
This initiative marks the first of three drills planned for 2026, with subsequent exercises on May 6th and September 19th. The Head of Government, Clara Brugada, emphasized the importance of this coordinated effort during a press conference.
Coordinated Response to Natural Events
“This is the first time we are coordinating with Edomex to have a metropolitan drill, and we are doing it because Mexico City is increasingly part of a large metropolis,” stated Clara Brugada. She added, “Natural events do not respect administrative borders, and therefore we must have coordinated solutions to these problems.”
Brugada highlighted that drills are a crucial public policy for care, transforming fear into collective, orderly, and preventive action. The aim is to convert the panic often felt when the seismic alert sounds into established protocols that everyone can follow.
Seismic Alert to Reach Cell Phones
A key new feature of this drill is the activation of the seismic alert on cell phones, in addition to the C5 loudspeakers and radio and television broadcasts. This follows three real earthquake events in 2026 where the alert successfully reached mobile devices.
Myriam Urzúa, Secretary of Comprehensive Risk Management and Civil Protection, explained that the Center for Instrumentation and Seismic Registry (CIRES) will activate the seismic alert at 11:00 AM on February 18th. The C5 will then disseminate this alert through the 13,992 speaker posts located throughout the capital, signaling the start of the drill.
Ángel Tamariz, head of the Digital Innovation Public Agency, clarified that the cell phone alert will be delimited to the municipalities and boroughs participating in the drill and depends on the devices having cellular network coverage. “This alert complements the C5 seismic alerts. It does not intend to replace them; it simply means that in addition to what we hear in the street, we will also have it on our cell phones,” he commented.
Drill Scenario and Emergency Protocols
The drill will simulate a magnitude 7.2 earthquake with an epicenter 11 km south of Pinotepa Nacional, Oaxaca, at a depth of 12 km. The estimated maximum acceleration in Mexico City will be 60.92 gal, meaning a strong perception in the lacustrine and transition zones, and moderate in the lomas and Valle de México areas.
Following the alert, the CDMX government will activate emergency protocols, including:
- Initial Damage Assessment: Five helicopters from the “Cóndores” group will conduct aerial surveys.
- Emergency Committee Mobilization: Members of the Emergency Committee will move to the C5 room.
- Hypothetical Scenario: A simulated vehicle extraction and vertical rescue will be performed at Avenida Hidalgo and Reforma.
These actions aim to measure response times to seismic alerts and reduce social reaction times, bolstering the city’s robust Civil Protection system, which covers 1,017 quadrants across the capital.
Recommendations for the Public
Head of Government Clara Brugada urged families to use the drill to identify safe routes and practice their family Civil Protection plan. She emphasized the importance of preparedness as a collective and coordinated responsibility.
Future Drills and World Cup 2026 Preparedness
Beyond the February drill, Mexico City will participate in two other national drills in 2026: on Wednesday, May 6th, and Saturday, September 19th.
Additionally, with the upcoming World Cup 2026, information on earthquake procedures will be provided to tourists visiting Mexico City. “Information from the Secretary of Comprehensive Risk Management and Civil Protection will be prepared for users, especially on what to do in case of an earthquake,” Brugada confirmed.
Real Seismic Alert Activation Criteria
Myriam Urzúa also clarified the conditions under which the seismic alert is activated for real earthquakes:
- When the estimated magnitude is greater than 5 degrees and the epicenter is less than 200 km from CDMX.
- When the earthquake magnitude may be greater than or equal to 5.5 and the epicenter is less than 350 km away.
- If the earthquake magnitude is greater than or equal to 6 degrees, the seismic alert is activated regardless of distance.
This comprehensive metropolitan drill represents a significant step in enhancing earthquake preparedness and response capabilities in Mexico City and the State of Mexico, ensuring the safety of millions of residents and visitors.
Source: https://www.chilango.com/noticias/simulacro-metropolitano-en-cdmx-y-edomex-fecha-y-hora/
