‘The Really Big One’ wins Pulitzer – but are we ready?

The possibility of a devastating mega-earthquake in Pacific Northwest has been a topic of conversation lately, thanks in part to the riveting and informative article by Kathryn Shultz in The New Yorker called “The Really Big One.”

The article was published in July of last year, and brought widespread attention to the importance of planning for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami. Shultz recently won a Pulitzer Prize for the story.

“It’s great to see this topic spurred such a prestigious award,” said Andrew Phelps, director of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management. “Though the article pointed out some scary elements, the awareness it has generated has helped to move communities to enhance their preparedness planning.”

On June 7 -10, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management will participate in Cascadia Rising, the largest-ever regional exercise supported by FEMA Region X that includes local, state, tribal and federal partners. Cascadia Rising is scheduled to occur in Oregon, Washington and Idaho to simulate the first four days of and after a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami.

The exercise aims to test the Cascadia Playbook, a document that outlines the first 14-days of a coordinated response for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami.

The playbook, says Phelps, is an innovative, whole community approach Oregon is taking to synchronize response efforts for a Cascadia event. Using the playbook as a guide, Cascadia Rising will help ensure emergency response partners are working together to provide decision makers with information to implement programs and policies that will save lives and property.

“It’s an opportunity to test our ability to allocate and manage resources with urgency during a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami, and other disasters,” Phelps said.

Thanks to the article by Schulz, recent major earthquakes, the tireless efforts of the emergency management community, and other outreach and events – lives and property will be saved when the inevitable Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami occurs.

“Now is a perfect time for everyone to evaluate a family emergency plan and update or establish emergency kits,” said Althea Rizzo, Ph.D., the state geologic hazards program coordinator, and a noted authority on earthquake preparedness.

Rizzo advocates for having discussions with family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers and school officials about what to do in the event of a major earthquake or other disaster.

“Everyone should have established exit routes, contacts, meeting places, and available preparedness kits after a disaster.”

You can view a brief informational video about the Cascadia Subduction Zone here: https://www.facebook.com/OMDOEM/videos/770831753061523/