Washington State Debuts Cellphone Earthquake Alerts For the first time, residents will be able to get alerts on their cellphones seconds before the ground under their feet starts shaking — enough time, hopefully, to get to a safe spot and avoid injury. May 03, 2021 • (TNS) - One of the most terrifying things about earthquakes is the way they strike without warning. That's going to change just a tiny bit in Washington beginning Tuesday. For the first time, residents will be able to get alerts on their cellphones seconds before the ground under their feet starts shaking — enough time, hopefully, to get to a safe spot and avoid injury.