Extension helps coastal communities prepare for The Big One

Oregon coastal areas have new policies on tsunami preparedness

Current research estimates a 37 percent chance in the next 50 years of a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake and tsunamis in our area. The zone stretches from Vancouver Island to northern California and can produce "megathrust" earthquakes with a magnitude of 9.0 or greater. In addition to earthquake damage in western Oregon, the coast would be hit by tsunamis that kill many more people.

Oregon Sea Grant brought together hundreds of residents, businesses and officials of coastal communities to learn about the nature, likelihood, and impact of a tsunami on coastal residents, visitors, and infrastructure. Education and engagement included tours of OSU tsunami wave-research facilities; tsunami workshops; a preparedness DVD; the publication “Three Things You Need to Know about Tsunamis," and outreach through local radio and newspapers.

Extension Sea Grant faculty assisted officials in 6 of 7 coastal counties to incorporate their new understanding of tsunami hazards into their public safety and planning policies such as updated evacuation plans and identification of assembly areas.

Source: Pat Corcoran