Washington Emergency Management Division

@emd.wa.gov

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Official site of the Washington Emergency Management Division. Content Guidelines: https://mil.wa.gov/social Not here 24/7 #wawx #EMGchat Preparedness tips: https://mil.wa.gov/preparedness Alerts: https://mil.wa.gov/alerts

A Guard Crew refuels a UH-60 Black hawk.
Image is of A Worker in the Sun. Text says, when temps rise, get inside. Stay hydrated. Never leave anyone in a closed vehicle. Check on lived ones and neighbors. Rest often and protect yourself from the sun.
Heat Exhaustion may include Dizziness, Thirst, Heavy, Sweating, Nausea, Weakness ACT FAST * Move to a cooler area * Loosen clothing * Sip cool water * Seek medical help if symptoms don't improve Heat Stroke may include becoming Unconscious, Confusion, Dizziness ACT FAST CALL 911 * Move person to a cooler area * Loosen clothing and remove extra layers * Cool with water or ice
Image showing Jimothy, a raccoon with a short body demonstrating "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in an infographic. Drop: Get low to the ground, right where you are. Staying Low keeps you stable. Cover: Cover your head and neck (if you have one). Take Cover under something sturdy if nearby, like a sturdy table (or your neighbor's earthquake-retrofitted porch). Hold On: "Hold On, little buddy! Hang onto your cover until the shaking stops."
Photo of the East Evans Creek Fire in Oregon, although that may not be where the teams end up.
A red graphic with a wildfire in the background. The NWS issues a Red Flag Warning, in conjunction with land management agencies, to alert people to an ongoing or expected critical fire weather pattern. Critical fire weather are either occurring now or will shortly. Be extremely careful with open flames. Take action.
A red flag warning is in place for Thursday’s weather pattern for portions of the Olympic Mountains, the North Cascades and the Central Cascades along with the Columbia Basin and portions of Benton, Franklin, Grant, Klickitat, Skamania, Walla Walla, Yakima, Adams, Douglas, Chelan, Kittitas and portions of Skamania, Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, Lewis, Thurston, Grays Harbor, Mason, Jefferson and Clallam counties.
Graphics show the benefits of signing up for local alerts before the next emergency.
A soccer ball on grass with an FBI logo. On July 1, 6 drones were seized from operators who violated flight restrictions, totaling 35 drone seizures to date during the World Cup around Seattle Stadium. Before you fly your drone, always check airspace restrictions using FAA-approved B4UFLY apps or visit tfr.faa.gov.
A large room with Soccer on the screens along with maps and people.
Washington December Flooding Response By The Numbers. Graphic shows a map of Washington state and icons next to numbers. $5.1 million FEMA Housing Assistance. $5.5 million FEMA Other Needs Assistance. $14.2 million in low interest disaster loans. $48 million In flood insurance payments. 2,028 Completed home inspections. 1,142 Individuals and households approved for assistance.
While traveling in the United States use 911 to call for emergencies, such as: Vehicle Accidents Fires Assault / Physical Harm Medical Emergency Crime Free language interpretation services are available for all 911 calls. At the start of the call announce in English what language you need. Please DO NOT use the following to contact 911: Texting WhatsApp Signal Telegram
A neighborhood center with people at tables. Words say Calk 211. Head to a local cooling center to beat the heat.
A soccer ball on the grass. An outline of a drone above it inside a bullseye target. Text says Seattle drone incidents. On June 19, 11 drones were seized from operators who violated flight restrictions around Seattle Stadium during a World Cup match. Before you fly your drone, always check airspace restrictions using FAA-approved B4UFLY apps or visit tfr.faa.gov
Video Description: Video begins with an intentionally silly clip of a toy volcano erupting foam. An emergency manager sees it happening, and in order to save everyone, kicks a soccer ball. The ball flies through the air, then lands in the volcano, plugging it, saving the day. This is interrupted by a disclaimer that this is not how it works. The Emergency Manager then explains how Washington does have 5 active volcanoes, earrthquake hazards, and additional hazards, like floods, fires, and tsunamis. Whether you live here or are visiting, it's important to learn about your hazards, and know how you'll be alerted. Visit mil.wa.gov/alerts to learn about alerts and sign up for your local alerts.
A soccer ball on the grass. An outline of a drone above it inside a bullseye target. Text says Seattle drone incidents. On June 15, drones were seized from operators who violated flight restrictions around Seattle Stadium during a World Cup match. Before you fly your drone, always check airspace restrictions using FAA-approved B4UFLY apps or visit tfr.faa.gov
Graphic says practicing vehicle safety. It encourages you to reduce sparks by not dragging chains, by not driving on grass, by checking your tire pressure and making sure your brakes don’t give off sparks. You’re also encouraged to use a fire extinguisher.
A large room with multiple computers and monitors is seen. The backs of people’s heads as they work. A map of Washington state with some counties highlighted on one computer. Logos on another. A plush soccer ball with FIFA World Cup on its label sits on a table.
Graphic shows icons representing different ways you can get help. Text says, 'Did You Have Losses in the December Flooding? FEMA Assistance May Help Pay for: Immediate needs such as water, food, first aid, prescriptions and other needs. Temporary housing. Hotel stays. Basic home repairs.Medical and dental expenses. Vehicle repair. Moving or storage costs. Wells and septic tank.s Privately owned road or bridge. Apply to FEMA Online DisasterAssistance.com Download and use the FEMA app. Call toll-free 1-800-621-3362. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance iş June 10, 2026. FEMA'
A woman with a headset sits at a computer taking 911 calls. Logo says 911 Washington Survey. How much do you know about 911?
A person in a chair thinks "one week." Text says deadline to apply for FEMA Assistance. If you were impacted by the Dec. storms and flooding, apply for FEMA assistance by June 10. Call 1-800-621-3362 or visit http://disasterassistance.gov to register or ask questions.
Smoke is seen on a video loop. Graphic says Keep up to date with local air quality reports and weather forecasts.
Video Description Washington Emergency Management Division’s Volcano Program Manager talks about the myth that volcanoes can erupt without warning, and why we can be certain our volcanoes in Washington won’t do that. The scientists at USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network work together to closely monitor our volcanoes, looking for signs of activity like earthquakes, gas, heat, and deformation on the volcanoes. Currently, all of our volcanoes are in a state of Normal, or Background activity, but if they progress to an Advisory, Watch, or Warning, these indicate that there is Magma within the volcano, which can cause unpredictable things to happen very quickly, like sudden explosions – that’s why it’s really important to stay out of volcanic areas that are closed – it’s for your safety. You can sign up for Volcano Notification Service from the U.S.G.S., to be alerted as soon as one of our volcanoes changes it’s alert level.
A person on a stretcher with aid workers around. Text says, "Help improve emergency awareness. Take the survey."
Sgt. 1st Class Victor Aguilar, 420th Chemical Battalion, briefs Brig. Gen. Paul Sellars, commanding general, Washington Army National Guard, on the decontamination process at the Nippon Plant Incident Site, Longview, Wash.
A U.S. flag is draped in the background. A soldier gives instructions to other soldiers.
Proclamation signed by Gov. Ferguson in honor of National Search and Rescue Recognition Week, May 16-May 22. The proclamation talks about how search and rescue are mostly unpaid professionals who contribute their time, skills, equipment and energy to help those in need.
A search and rescue team helps someone on a hillside in the dark. They have lanterns on their head and are pointing and giving directions.
A snowy Mount St Helens is visible from a distance.
A massive cloud of ash bursts from the top of Mount St. Helens in 1980.
Graphic on the left says “Millennial PR Team” with a picture of Mt. Rainier. Text says, “When the mountain's out, we're all thrilled to see it. But did you know Mt. Rainier is an active volcano with dangers like lahars? Find preparedness tips at mil.wa.gov/volcano “ A black dividing line is in the middle. It then says on the right side, “Gen Z PR Team” with the same Mt. Rainier pictures, along with emojis o a goat, a screaming head, an erupting volcano and a regular mountain. Text says, “The mountain's GOAT But you be delulu if you don't spot the dangers Big yikes, fam!” There are no periods on purpose.
Washington Emergency Management Division’s Volcano Program Manager talks about how he’s heard many people living in Seattle concerned about Mt. Rainier, because there seems to be an assumption that because it’s larger than mt. St. Helens, it’s next eruption will be much bigger. He then explains how size of a volcano isn’t what controls the eruption – it’s other factors, like magma type, gas content, and other things. However, this doesn’t mean these volcanoes aren’t dangerous. Each volcano has it’s own hazards you should watch out for, and WA EMD recommends learning about your local volcano’s hazard, and how you can get alerted about it before it erupts.
A group of smiling Washington Emergency Management Division employees on the steps of the Legislature holding a certificate.
Video Description: Our volcanologist reacts to Seattle Storm player Natisha Hiedeman noticing Mt. Rainier. Basketball player Natasha Hiedeman excitedly describes her experience of noticing Mt. Rainier, over images of Mt. Rainier, a white dome that is somewhat hard to distinguish from clouds in the background. Reacting to the video, a volcanologist in a Washington EMD shirt nods in recognition, remembering the first time he saw the volcano. The volcanologist then explains that May will be Volcano Awareness Month in Washington, over additional images of Mt. Rainier, including the USGS Volcano Hazard Map, which shows areas that could become dangerous during an eruption. A final slide encourages viewers to visit mil.wa.gov/volcano for additional information about how they can get prepared for the next volcanic eruption.
Infographic about the 1965 Puget Sound Earthquake. On April 29th, the 1965 Puget Sound Earthquake struck. Image below shows the ground outside Union Station in Seattle, WA with a large crack in the sidewalk. A map of Washington shows the epicenter in Des Moines and notes that the shaking extended over 190k square miles, impacting Washington, NW Oregon, North Idaho, and SW British Columbia. Facts are listed below the images, including: the earthquake took place on Thursday, April 29, 1965 at 8:29 a.m. with a magnitude of 6.7 and 45 seconds of shaking. The earthquake caused 7 deaths and damages cost about $130 million in 2026 USD.
Hundreds of students walk an evacuation route holding signs that say Lahar drill as well as their teacher/class names.
Children and a woman go under a table as the ground shakes and hold on to each other.
A vertical evacuation structure with stairs among a greenspace.
Three individuals head across a gravel beach moving to high ground. They carry backpacks. High ground is important for tsunamis.
A person under a table holding on to his head with an emergency kit next to him. Drop, cover and hold on is a safety action you can take during earthquakes.
A dark blue background of rolling waves moves in the background overlaid by white text on a black transparent background at the top of the screen. The text reads, “what would you do if you were on the water during the next tsunami?” Below, more white text that says “Check out the Boater’s Guide linked below to learn more”. In the bottom left corner rests the logo for the Washington Emergency Management Division.
A dark blue background of rolling waves moves in the background overlaid by white text on a black transparent background at the top of the screen. The text reads, “what would you do if you were on the water during the next tsunami?” Below, more white text that says “Check out the Boater’s Guide linked below to learn more”. In the bottom left corner rests the logo for the Washington Emergency Management Division.
Bending trees in this graphic. Text says gusty winds up to 60mph Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. Many state highways impacted.
A proclamation for Nisqually Earthquake Remembrance Day on Feb. 28, 2026. It states, in part, "Commemorating 25th Anniversary of the Nisqually Earthquake." WHEREAS, twenty-five years ago, on February 28, 2001, the Nisqually earthquake struck Washington, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure, and reminding all Washingtonians that we have the second highest earthquake risk in the United States; and WHEREAS, the earthquake caused an estimated $4 billion dollars in damage, and additional economic disruption, making it the costliest earthquake in the United States in recent history; and WHEREAS, the Nisqually earthquake resulted in more than 400 injuries, highlighting the critical importance of earthquake preparedness, making our highest-risk buildings safer, and our communities resilient... and I call upon all Washingtonians, state agencies, local and tribal governments, businesses, labor, and residents, to honor those affected by this historic event by renewing our shared commitment to earthquake preparedness and seismic resilience; advancing the identification and retrofitting of unreinforced masonry buildings and other vulnerable infrastructure; continuing implementation of the Resilient Washington recommendations; and working together to protect lives, strengthen communities, preserve affordable housing, support a skilled workforce, and build a safer, more resilient, and sustainable Washington for generations to come. Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of Washington this 18th day of February, 2026.
A blue flag with the 12th man football fan on it. Text says 12 items to help fill your emergency kit. Icons include batteries, charger, toilet paper, medicine and prescriptions,important items, nonperishable food, water, light sources, tools, hygiene items, sturdy shoes, tools and a first aid kit.
A silhouette of the Space Needle among fog and smoke.
Graphic shows a backpack and water, food, batteries and more with the words EMERGENCY KIT bolded and the phrase: Start the new year prepared. make sure your emergency kit is ready for whatever comes your way.
Graphic says Resolve to receive alerts in different ways and has a picture of a phone and a radio.
Graphic says Resolve to be Ready this new year
Graphic says BE PREPARED FOR A POWER OUTAGE. Has a FEMA logo and a state logo. Power outages are more likely to occur during strong winds and winter storms. A power outage is when the electrical lost unexpectedly. Power outages may disrupt communications, utilities, water, utilities and transportation for a long time. It may cause businesses, stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks, schools and other services to close. It may cause food spoilage and water contamination. It may cause injuries, disease or death or prevent the use of medical devices.‎'
A rescue boat from Washington Taskforce One