On top of COVID-19 and wildfires, there’s still the prospect of earthquakes. Readiness for such an event has emergency officials prepping for the annual “Great Oregon ShakeOut”, being held October 21st this year.
Seismologists have predicted a Cascadian Subduction event for much of the Pacific Northwest for some time now, which could be devastating for affected areas.
Ahead of the observance for this year’s ShakeOut, people like Jenny DeMaris, Emergency Manager for Lincoln County, want locals to practice their “drop, cover, and hold” exercises.
“Because if you look at the statistics of individuals that are injured or even killed in an earthquake, it’s because they didn’t take the time to immediately protect themselves from falling debris,” DeMaris explained to KLCC.
“We will be the first area in Oregon to be affected by the earthquake itself, and then the forthcoming tsunami.”
DeMaris said besides a severe quake, a resultant tsunami would also threaten locals. She advised checking for inundation areas online, to avoid surging waters.
”Something else to look for are big letter As. They’re in blue and white text, those are the assembly areas. Those are the areas that you can navigate to when you’re in those coastal areas to know that you’re at a high enough level that the inundation waters are not expected to reach you there.”
DeMaris added it’s always good to know evacuation routes and have an escape plan ready, in case you’re on the coastline when disaster strikes.
Participants are urged to register, whether they’re a family, workplace, or individual. Besides demonstrating community-wide safety, the data can help local governments land federal grants.
Copyright 2021, KLCC.
