Mexico City Gears Up for National Earthquake Drill on September 19
Mexico City, August 5 – The National Civil Protection Coordination announced details of the upcoming national earthquake drill, set to take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 12:00 PM. Unlike previous exercises, this drill will occur on a weekend, encouraging greater family participation in preparedness efforts.
The primary objective of the Second National Earthquake Drill 2026 is to enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of authorities and citizens in the event of an earthquake. Officials emphasized the importance of developing a family emergency plan, especially since many residents will be at home during the weekend drill.
Five Hypotheses for the National Drill
This year’s drill will operate under five distinct seismic hypotheses across the country. For Mexico City, Colima, State of Mexico, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Puebla, Querétaro, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Nayarit, and Guanajuato, the scenario will simulate a 7.7 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Tehuacán, Puebla.
The seismic alert will be broadcast through three channels: mobile phones, loudspeakers, and radio and television. The mobile phone alert will sound nationwide. However, the loudspeaker alert will be activated only in Mexico City, State of Mexico, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Tlaxcala, Chiapas, and Morelos.
The Importance of Family Preparedness
Authorities stressed that while earthquakes cannot be predicted, preparedness is crucial. The weekend timing of the drill offers a valuable opportunity for families to discuss and practice their emergency plans, identify safe zones within their homes, and assign roles to each family member.
“Since the drill will be on a weekend, and many people will be at home, it’s a good opportunity to talk with family members and participate together in this exercise, establishing roles and identifying exits and safe zones,” stated officials during a press conference.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that Mexico’s population is well-prepared for seismic events, fostering a culture of prevention and rapid response.
Source: cdmxsecreta.com
