Be 'two-weeks ready'

Last updated 2/2/2017 at Noon

It occurred 317 years ago and while there's no way to know when the next Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake might hit, it's a good idea to be prepared.

Many people in the Pacific Northwest have been aware of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, but a New Yorker article by Kathryn Schulz in July 2015 drew national attention to the 600-mile fault that runs from northern California to British Columbia, about 70-100 miles off the Pacific coast shoreline. The last Cascadia quake occurred in this fault on January 26, 1700, with an estimated 9.0 magnitude. Currently, scientists predict that there is about a 40 percent chance that a megathrust earthquake of 9.0+ magnitude in this fault zone will occur in the next 50 years.

Schulz's article, and surrounding media attention about Cascadia, generated awareness and created some fear. But Althea Rizzo, geologic hazards program coordinator for Oregon's Office of Emergency Management, says that fear is often based on the unknown. Knowing what to do, and how to be prepared for a large-scale earthquake, or any disaster, can help to mitigate fear and empower people to take action. That action, says Rizzo, includes putting together a plan and emergency kits to be 2 Weeks Ready.

And preparation for "the Big One" leaves you in good shape to weather other emergencies - such as those created by severe weather. Power outages during extreme cold, being snowed in at your home - if you're prepared these things can be handled with relative ease and comfort, and peace of mind.

According to Rizzo, people are more prepared than they think.

"You probably already have many of the things you need, such as flashlights and leather gloves," says Rizzo. "Pick up a couple items every payday and check out garage sales and thrift stores for tools and gear. Look in the garage, closets and junk drawer for items before adding to your shopping list. Being prepared to be self-sufficient for two weeks is an achievable goal. You can get there over time."

(See related sidebar for ideas on how to prepare.)

Oregon Office of Emergency Management has many tools and resources to be prepared for a Cascadia quake and other disasters. Check out their new website at http://www.oregon.gov/OEM.

Being prepared in Sisters Country

What can local citizens do to be prepared for a major emergency such as a catastrophic mega earthquake - or a few days snowed under?

First, recognize the vulnerabilities. In a "full-rip" Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, there is likely to be significant damage to the state's major fuel depot in the St. Johns area of Portland. And re-routing fuel supplies, which are contracted for, won't be a quick or easy proposition. And in a major region-wide emergency, fuel will be allocated first to emergency responders.

Even lesser emergencies could interrupt fuel supplies.

"Whatever you have in your tank when it happens is what you're gonna have," says Jack McGowan, a local preparedness advocate.

Ideally, you'd have some form of fuel storage for, say 100 gallons. But hardly anybody can realistically do that. So, the best practice is simply to fill your tank - and don't let it get below half-empty. That way you've always got at least some fuel on hand.

A couple of safely stored five-gallon gas cans are a good idea, too - treated so that the fuel doesn't go bad. Drop the gas into your tank every few months and get a fresh supply in the cans.

Water is critical to life. Experts recommend storing at least one gallon of water per person for three days for drinking, cooking and sanitation. (www.ready.gov/water). That's a lot of water in an emergency that lasts for several days or weeks.

Putting up a few flats of commercial bottled water is a good idea, as is filling several camping containers. It's also a very good idea to have a good water purification device in case you are caught somewhere away from your water supply. It's always a good idea to carry one in your hiking pack or your emergency car kit anyway.

The grocery supply network is likely to be severely disrupted in a major disaster scenario. Most emergency plans call for food supplies for 72 hours - but for an event like a Cascadia quake, you need to be prepared for much longer: Two or three weeks to a month.

Having a stock of canned food is fine - but you have to cycle through it. McGowan recommends purchasing a couple of containers of freeze-dried food from Costco.

"They're not as expensive as you might think," he said.

The food stores well and has a 20-year shelf life.

Surplus stores carry supplies of MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) and you can find tasty freeze-dried backpacking food at stores that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.

Don't count on the ability to refrigerate food. And don't forget that your pets will need to eat, too - so you need to lay in a backup supply of their food as well.

You'll also need to have the means to cook. Camping stoves are convenient, easy to use and effective.

It's a very good idea to have an emergency backup for vital medications. Just like the food chain, the supply chain for pharmacies is likely to be disrupted.

Having an alternative source of heat is important if you heat primarily with electricity. A portable gas-powered generator is fine for a while - but in a scenario where fuel supplies are short for an extended period of time, that may not help you.

A wood stove requires nothing but some muscle to create the fuel.

Get a Red Cross solar/crank radio so you won't be completely out of touch on vital announcements/news if the communication net goes down for an extended period.

For some folks, there is an innate, perhaps subconscious, resistance to spending money and effort preparing for something that may never happen. But preparing for the "Big One" also leaves you in great shape to handle smaller emergencies, from winter power outages to a financial crunch that forces you to tap some emergency supplies.

And, for the well-prepared, the confidence that you are ready for anything and in a position to help your family, friends, and neighbors, offers tremendous peace of mind.