The shaking could last for up to five minutes. Bridges, roads and buildings could crumble. Schools and businesses could close indefinitely. Much needed infrastructure—power, water, sewage and phone lines—could be down for months. The Interstate 5 corridor could be in ruins, wreaking havoc on supply chains as it becomes increasingly difficult to distribute food, medicine and other critical resources. A major earthquake could forever change lives.
According to James Roddey, director of communications for the Oregon Trail chapter of the American Red Cross, a Cascadia subduction-zone earthquake could directly impact the lives of more than 13 million people from British Columbia to Northern California.
Data collected by the United States Geological Survey shows that “several million earthquakes occur in the world per year.” This same data shows that since 1990 there have been more than 1,400 earthquakes per year with a magnitude of 5 or greater on average, and more than 15 earthquakes per year of magnitude 7 or greater. This information can be overwhelming. What can Pacific Northwest residents possibly do to prepare for the unknown?
There are several steps to take in preparation for an earthquake. The American Red Cross breaks it down: make a plan, build a kit and get trained.
When making an earthquake response plan, it is important to talk to family, roommates and friends about possible hazards. Make note of each one—fire, flooding, debris—and draw up plans for each possibility, noting emergency exits, meeting places and where emergency kits will be stored.
Planning for an earthquake also involves making sure that homes and residences are safe. The Federation of American Scientists’ ReallyReady America website advises people to “bolt down and secure your water heater, furnace and gas appliances to wall studs; place large or heavy objects on lower shelves; fasten shelves, mirrors and large picture frames to walls; brace high and top-heavy objects; and anchor overhead light fixtures.”
The next step is to build an emergency supply kit. The Federal Emergency Management Agency advises citizens to have enough food, water and supplies to last for at least 72 hours. In the days following a large disaster, emergency responders will be overwhelmed and government agencies will need several days to move resources into the affected region.
Creating plans and building supply kits are vital elements of earthquake preparation. To round it all out, be sure to have adequate training in responding to the less severe medical injuries. Take a first-aid and CPR class. After a major earthquake or other catastrophic event, hospitals will be overwhelmed and only able to care for the most severe injuries. “Ninety-five percent of everyone helped or rescued in an earthquake is helped by their neighbors,” Roddey said.
Additional training is available from FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team. CERT training provides “basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.”
In the event of an earthquake, the safest thing to do is drop, cover and hold. Take shelter under anything that will provide protection from falling debris. If outside when an earthquake hits, ReallyReady America advises finding “an open space away from buildings, power lines and anything else that could fall on you.” If driving a vehicle, the website recommends stopping the vehicle away from bridges, overpasses and trees. Finally, the site offers crucial information for those who might be trapped by fallen debris: “Cover your mouth, avoid moving around and kicking up dust, tap on a pipe or wall and shout only as a last resort.”
Once it is safe to move around, check on people in the immediate area and make sure no one needs immediate attention. One of the next crucial steps to take is to turn off the natural gas and water lines to prevent fires, flooding and contamination. The NW Natural website provides instructions for how to turn off the natural gas after an earthquake. It is a good idea to know where these valves are before the disaster occurs; this is good information to include in the planning process. Also, be sure to wear proper clothing, footwear and gloves when moving around. Many injuries occur after the events, when people are sorting through debris and trying to help one another.
Keep in mind that power and communications lines will be down, so important information will be broadcast via radio. Listen for news about additional hazards, rescue operations and other vital information.
If victims are separated from their families and loved ones, the American Red Cross maintains a Safe and Well registry for disaster victims that can be utilized to connect separated families. For students, it could be extremely beneficial to let out-of-state family members know about this service. If communication lines are down, this is an excellent way to allow families to stay up-to-date on the status of their separated loved ones.
The Office of Oregon Emergency Management published a book on surviving earthquakes and tsunamis that serves as a reminder that “the geologic forces that have made [Oregon] a spectacular place to live also make it one of the most earthquake-prone spots in the continental United States.” Surviving and recovering from earthquakes is “largely a matter of what you know and how well you prepare,” the book says.