Is Oregon Prepared for an Earthquake and Tsunami?

My thoughts on Oregon's preparedness.

We have an opportunity for a week or two. Following a disaster, people are very interesting in preparedness - for about a month - then the old apathy sets in again. Don't forget the lessons we learned from the distant Earthquake in Japan and the following tsunami.

We learned that even here, small, powerful waves can wash you out to sea. Many learned that they were not prepared to evacuate and it was a good thing we had the time to gather things together.

There are many stories and viewpoints out there about whether or not Oregon is ready for a Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake off our own coast, and the resulting Tsunami. We are not fully prepared.

I don't believe we could ever be prepared enough for such a catastrophy and there will not be time to do anything but run to higher ground.

I read today that people expect sirens to sound. If we have a 9.0 Earthquake, sirens may or may not sound depending on damage. The Earthquake IS your warning. If you feel the earth move - run, don't drive, don't walk, run to higher ground. DO NOT go to the beach.

What else can we do to prepare ourselves?

Here is my personal check list:

Have an emergency kit at home AND in my car so that I can take care of myself for a few days if I have to. (with a coat - it is the coast after all)

Have a family plan - where will we meet when things settle down?

Have extra supplies and carrying cases for my pets - they will go with me.

Know the tsunami evacuation routes.

Know my neighbors and those that may need extra assistance. Know who the tourists are so that I can give them instructions also.

We may not be structurally ready for this disaster, but we can at least spend a few minutes on becoming personally prepared.

First responders will have enough to do. Don't make them respond to you if possible.



Thanks for being prepared.

Governor Declares April to be Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Month

April is Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness month! DOGAMI is working with the governor to spread awareness on the dangers of earthquakes and tsunamis, and to try and teach what is necessary to increase your chances of surviving such a natural disaster.

An excerpt from the full-color PDF press release:

Have you practiced your drop, cover, and hold drill lately? Do you know what to do at the coast if the ground starts to shake?

Portland, Oregon: Governor Ted Kulongoski has proclaimed April to be Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Month, saying in the proclamation that Oregon has taken many steps during the past two decades to help make the citizens of the state safer from future earthquakes (see attached proclamation).

http://www.oregongeology.org/pubs/nr/press-release-2010-03-31.pdf

Further information can be found on the DOGAMI websites, including emergency preparedness information, available training, and tsunami evacuation maps.

http://www.oregon.gov/DOGAMI/

FEMA Region VII Earthquake Message

Yesterday we talked about an earthquake off the coast of Oregon, and today we see that FEMA Region 7 is giving good advice on how to prepare for an earthquake, and what to do when one happens.

FEMA Region 7 is in the midwest where earthquakes rarely occur, yet they still urge preparedness because earthquake DO happen!

Before an earthquake occurs:

• Consider purchasing earthquake insurance.
• Buy a 20-gallon garbage can and fill it with emergency supplies.
• Consider retrofitting your home to make it more resistant to earthquake damage.
• Educate your children about earthquake safety.
• Anchor heavy furniture, shelves, cupboards and appliances to the walls or floor.
• Store dangerous chemicals such as flammable liquids and poisons in a secure place.
• Learn how to shut off the gas, electricity and water.
• Have money in savings for post-catastrophic expenses that aren’t covered by your earthquake insurance policy. These expenses may include higher insurance deductible and repair or replacement claims that exceed your policy limits.

When an earthquake hits, what to do if you’re indoors:

• DROP to the ground;
• Take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and
• HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

When an earthquake hits, what to do if you’re outdoors:

• Stay there. Drop, Cover and Hold.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

To see the whole message, go to http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=50396 and visit http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/