Life as we know it in Oregon will end for weeks or even months when the Big One hits the Northwest, earthquake experts say. Long blackouts, food shortages and fuel outages are on the horizon, as well as bridge failures and landslides that could potentially cut off the Oregon coast.
The predictions are based on a study of Japan’s recent magnitude-9 quake, which caused worse damage than was reported despite the country’s high level of preparedness, a team of Oregon experts said. A similar earthquake here would be even more disastrous, given that we’re behind Japan in terms of preparation, they added.
And that’s when – not if – the earthquake hits, a recent Oregonian article emphasized. It’s been 311 years since the last major earthquake in the Northwest’s Cascadia subduction zone, which historically has received one every 240 years on average.
In order to minimize the impact of the expected quake, greater preparedness is needed on a community-wide as well as individual level. At minimum, families should prepare home survival kits that include enough food, water and supplies for at least three days – or preferably two weeks. Don’t forget to include an emergency LED lantern, individual LED flashlights or headlamps for each family member, a full change of warm clothes and a survival knife.
[Photo by: USFWS Headquarters]