State emergency officials remind residents that earthquakes are a genuine concern in northwest Mississippi, where communities could experience damaging shaking from the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
By MDA Staff Writer | October 16, 2026
MISSISSIPPI DELTA — When residents think about natural disasters in the Mississippi Delta, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding often come to mind. However, state emergency officials are drawing attention to another threat that receives considerably less attention: earthquakes.
More than 296,000 Mississippians had registered to participate in the 2026 Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, according to figures released Tuesday, October 13, by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
The nationwide preparedness exercise was scheduled for Thursday, October 15, at 10:15 a.m., encouraging families, schools, businesses and organizations to practice responding to an earthquake.
The agency reported that more than 18 million people nationwide had registered for the exercise. Those figures represent registrations, not independently confirmed participation. msema.org
Northwest Mississippi Faces Elevated Earthquake Risk
Although earthquakes are relatively uncommon in Mississippi, the state’s northwestern counties face greater potential impacts from the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
The seismic zone extends through portions of the central United States and has produced some of the country’s most significant historical earthquakes.
According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, northwest Mississippi faces the state’s highest risk of impacts from a major earthquake originating along the New Madrid system.
The agency also reports that the powerful earthquakes of 1811 and 1812 were felt across Mississippi and caused portions of the Mississippi River’s banks to collapse as far south as Vicksburg.
Those historical events demonstrate why earthquake preparedness remains relevant to communities along the Mississippi River. msema.org
Earthquakes Have Occurred in Delta Communities
Earthquake activity is not entirely unfamiliar to the Mississippi Delta.
A geological fact sheet published by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality documents several earthquakes originating within the region.
On June 4, 1967, a magnitude 3.8 earthquake occurred near Greenville. The earthquake was felt across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee.
Another earthquake, measuring magnitude 3.7, occurred near Hollandale in Washington County on January 8, 2019.
The state’s historical records also identify a magnitude 2.7 earthquake near Clarksdale on February 11, 1991, although that event was not reported as felt.
These records demonstrate that seismic activity has occurred within the Delta itself, in addition to earthquakes originating in neighboring states. Mississippi DEQ
Emergency Officials Encourage Residents to Practice Safety Procedures
The Great ShakeOut campaign focuses on teaching residents how to protect themselves when earthquake shaking begins.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency recommends three essential actions: Drop, Cover and Hold On.
Residents should drop to the ground, seek protection beneath a sturdy table or desk when possible, and hold on until the shaking stops.
People inside buildings should avoid windows, glass and objects that could fall.
Those outdoors should move away from buildings, utility lines and other potential hazards.
The agency also encourages households to develop emergency communication plans and prepare supplies before a disaster occurs.
Although the official Great ShakeOut observance took place Thursday, residents can organize their own earthquake drills throughout the year. msema.org
Preparedness Remains Important for Delta Families
For communities throughout the Mississippi Delta, earthquake preparedness presents challenges different from those associated with severe weather.
Unlike many storms, earthquakes generally occur without advance warning, leaving residents little time to respond once shaking begins.
Schools, childcare facilities, businesses and households can reduce their risks by identifying safer locations inside buildings and practicing appropriate protective actions.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency continues working with emergency management officials in counties that could be affected by a major New Madrid earthquake.
The agency’s earthquake preparedness program includes public education, training, planning and coordination with local and federal partners.
A Reminder That Preparedness Saves Time When Seconds Matter
The 2026 Great ShakeOut served as an opportunity for Mississippi residents to learn about an often-overlooked natural hazard.
While no major earthquake prompted this year’s exercise, emergency officials emphasize that preparation before a disaster can help people respond more effectively when an emergency occurs.
For northwest Mississippi Delta communities, understanding earthquake risks and practicing safety procedures remain important parts of protecting families, schools and neighborhoods.
The message from emergency officials is straightforward: Earthquakes may be uncommon in Mississippi, but residents should know what to do when the ground begins to shake.
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Source: Official Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill Announcement, Official Mississippi Earthquake Risk and Safety Information, and Earthquakes in Mississippi: Official Historical Records (PDF)