Preparing for the Cascadia Quake

https://www.opb.org/news/series/unprepared/water-earthquake-cascadia-quake/

A magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the Pacific Northwest coast could hit at any time.
Enter your Oregon address for a custom report on your seismic risks and how to prepare.

The Moment

The scenario: Oregon's long-awaited magnitude 9 earthquake has finally struck, unleashing a sustained shaking from British Columbia to the tip of California. Oregon was unprepared – and your home in the valley is no exception.

Intensity

Shaking here is strong. It causes panic. Heavy furniture is moving. Plaster is falling from the walls and ceilings. Many old brick buildings that haven't been reinforced are failing. Most buildings constructed before the '90s are damaged but usable. Buildings constructed before the '70s are likely more damaged. Many bridges are damaged and impassable.

Your Community’s Recovery

Experts project it could take several months to restore your community to its normal function based on damage to pipes, infrastructure, and the transportation corridors needed for recovery efforts.

How To Prepare

Given the hazards and preparedness level in your community, experts suggest keeping an emergency kit with enough supplies to last a minimum of two weeks. They also recommend connecting with community groups to boost your region's overall resiliency.

Your Supply Kit

Experts suggest you have the following:

2

Weeks of supplies
per person

14

Gallons of water
per person

42

Meals
per person

For more information on making your kit, check out these emergency supply lists from OPB and American Red Cross.

Your Home

Based on the estimated shaking intensity in your area, experts recommend you bolt your house to the foundation and secure heavy furniture. Strap down your water heater. Know the location of utility shut-offs and keep needed tools nearby.

Know Your Routes

Make sure your family and friends know where to gather after the earthquake and how to get there. You'll need a reconnection plan. Do you cross a bridge on your way to school or work? It could be unsafe to cross after an earthquake. Do you need an evacuation route? If you're in the tsunami zone, you do. Find your route.
Also be aware that some major roads won't be safe or passable during and after an earthquake. Contact your local public works department or Office of Emergency Management in advance to find out which routes could potentially be impassable in your area.

Know Your Leaders

Contacting local officials with questions and concerns can further preparedness efforts in your community. Recommended people to contact: building officials, who can assess vulnerable structures, local emergency planning committees, and elected officials.

The Importance of Community

The most crucial thing you can do to increase the resiliency of your community is connect with your neighbors to plan as a group. One way to do this is through Community Emergency Response Teams. Find out how to join or start a community team.

How does it work?

Aftershock is designed to help Oregonians prepare for a Cascadia earthquake. Several state agencies have released predictions on how a 9.0 earthquake from the Cascadia Subduction Zone would affect Oregon. Aftershock organizes and delivers that information in a way that makes it accessible to any Oregonian.
Aftershock uses data from modelling done by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. Geographic data sets include: expected shaking, tsunami zone, soil liquefaction, landslides and impact zones — determined by the Oregon Resilience Report. The descriptions of risk and how to prepare for those risks are based on best estimates from DOGAMI, the Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission, the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Have questions? Click here for more information.

Who made this?

Aftershock began during a weekend Storytelling with Data build-a-thon hosted by Hack Oregon and the Agora Journalism Center at the University of Oregon. Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Jason Bernert and Tony Schick led the project with contributions from Dan Logan of Portland State University, Geoff Ostrove of the University of Oregon, the Portland multimedia studio Sticky and computer engineer David Losada.