Rep. Mark Amodei has announced that $34.85 million in federal funding has been allocated for the continued development and expansion of the ShakeAlert West Coast earthquake early warning system, with a directive to begin expanding the program into Nevada.
The funding was included in H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026. President Biden signed the bill into law on January 23, 2026.
“While neighboring states already have the tools and technology to warn residents of potential earthquakes, Nevada has lagged behind,” said Rep. Mark Amodei. “This funding will equip our state’s experts with the resources they need to implement a proven system that keeps Nevadans safe and communities prepared for seismic activity. I appreciate the University of Nevada for their leadership and advocacy on this issue, and it was an honor to work alongside them to secure the funding that will bring ShakeAlert to Nevada.”
Brian Sandoval, President of the University of Nevada, added: “We thank Representative Amodei for his leadership in advocating for this funding to advance research and create much needed infrastructure for earthquake emergency response in Nevada.”
Christie Rowe, Director of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, said: “The possibility of ShakeAlert expanding to serve Nevada is really exciting. We will help the USGS develop a plan that fits Nevada’s people, industries, and infrastructure to offer the best warning system possible. We are so grateful for the support from Nevada’s congressional delegation that resulted in this critical step toward earthquake early warning for Nevada.”
Robert de Groot, Coordinator for Communication, Education, Outreach, and Technical Engagement for ShakeAlert Program commented: “The ShakeAlert system was designed in such a way that it could be expanded to other U.S. regions with high earthquake risk. Possibilities could include the populated areas across high-risk regions of Nevada, Alaska, Utah, the New Madrid Seismic Zone, the Puerto Rico region, and elsewhere. Development of a technical implementation plan would be the first step in a multi-step process for ShakeAlert rollout to parts of Nevada.”
ShakeAlert detects fast-moving seismic waves at an earthquake’s start using data from several stations before confirming an event has occurred. For locations farther from an earthquake’s epicenter, alerts can reach residents via cell phones before damaging waves arrive.
These warnings give people time to take protective actions or allow organizations like schools or healthcare facilities to activate emergency protocols before shaking begins.
Mark Amodei currently serves as U.S. Representative for Nevada’s 2nd district since 2011 after replacing Dean Heller (https://amodei.house.gov/about). He previously served in both chambers of the Nevada Legislature between 1997 and 2011 (https://amodei.house.gov/about). Born in Carson City in 1958 where he still resides at age 64 (https://amodei.house.gov/about), Amodei earned his BA from University of Nevada Reno in 1980 and a JD from University of the Pacific in 1983 (https://amodei.house.gov/about).
