Clatsop County Emergency Management and the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) are hosting a joint presentation to review the newly revised “Beat the Wave” Tsunami Evacuation Route Maps. The virtual meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 19.
“When the next great Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami occurs, coastal residents and visitors will have 10-30 minutes to reach safety. Evacuation on foot will be the only means possible,” said Justin Gibbs, the county emergency management director. “People near inland rivers and streams will also need to evacuate to high ground before fast-rising water tsunami waters arrive.”
To be prepared, people will need to know:
- The most efficient roads and trails to take to reach safety.
- How fast they will have to travel to beat the wave to safety.
- If the earthquake will cause bridges to become impassable or activate a landslide that blocks an escape route.
- What to do if safe evacuation isn't possible. They will need to prepare for other options.
The 6-Weeks Ready campaign ends with the Great Shakeout. “We encourage anyone who has not yet joined us in the campaign to start now. Our website has information that can help individuals and families get prepared. We also encourage everyone to register online to participate in the Great Shakeout,” Gibbs said.
Week 1: Sept 8 - 15 Building a Kit
Week 2: Sept 16 - 23 Disaster Planning with Everyone in Mind
Week 3: Sept 23 - 30 Protecting your Family & Property in a Disaster
Week 4: Oct 3 - 7 Food & Water in an Emergency
Week 5: Oct 10 - 14 Tsunami Evacuation
Week 6: Oct 17 - 21 Earthquake Safety
Personal preparedness and other emergency preparedness information is on the Clatsop County website.