Oregon Department of GeologY AND Mineral Industries

Dr. Vicki S. McConnell, State Geologist


February 12, 2010

Read the complete news release in the attached PDF or go online at: http://www.oregongeology.org/

New multi-year tsunami mapping and outreach program comes to the Oregon Coast
Several coastal communities selected to become TsunamiReady, TsunamiPrepared over the next year

Portland, Oregon: The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), in partnership with Oregon Emergency Management and the National Weather Service, are enhancing and expanding tsunami preparedness for Oregon coastal communities with a new program called TsunamiReady, TsunamiPrepared.

Funded by a multi-year, multi-million dollar grant from the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program overseen by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), TsunamiReady, TsunamiPrepared will accelerate the remapping of the Oregon coast for tsunami inundation using state of the art computer modeling and laser based terrain mapping (lidar). The outcome will be the creation of new, more accurate tsunami evacuation maps for the entire 362 mile length of the Oregon coast.

The enhanced tsunami mapping and outreach program, TsunamiReady, TsunamiPrepared, will also build on the hard work coastal communities have already accomplished, or assist in work they are ready to begin, by supporting a grass roots program of awareness and preparedness.

TsunamiReady, TsunamiPrepared will also provide much needed resources to help these communities create or maintain a sustained effort of education and preparation in anticipation of the next, inevitable tsunami to strike the Oregon coast.

Communities chosen for the first year of accelerated funding of the TsunamiReady, TsunamiPrepared program include Rockaway Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, and Wheeler on the north coast, Yachats, Waldport and Seal Rock on the central coast and Bandon on the south coast. Adjacent state parks to these communities will also participate in the program, with details of individual community efforts being finalized.

Support for all coastal towns interested in accelerating their earthquake and tsunami programs is also available in many forms, from an on-line clearing house of resources and emergency prep ideas, to workshops, printed materials, and media resources.

Read the complete news release in the attached PDF or go online at: http://www.oregongeology.org/

James RoddeyEarth Sciences Information OfficerOregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 965, Portland, OR 97232(971) 673-1543 (direct line) / (503) 807-8343 (cell)mailto:james.roddey@dogami.state.or.us
http://www.oregongeology.org