After reading this week’s lesson about coastal catastrophes and what they can do, I started to think of ways we can be more prepared for when powerful storm surges hit our coasts. I found a great New York Times article about how the Pacific Northwest kicked off a massive earthquake and tsunami drill, to better prepare people. This drill lasted four days and was called Cascadia Rising. This multiday event was to rehearse different scenarios on how the region would deal with a dual natural disaster, that could kill thousands and collapse phone and internet sources. Cascadia Rising is built around the premise of a 9.0 magnitude earthquake 95 miles off the coast of Oregon that results in a tsunami. There is a Cascadia subduction zone which is a 600-mile-long fault that runs from Northern California to British Columbia, and when that ruptures, it will result into a catastrophe lie nothing we have seen. Federal officials say that about 20,000 people will be involved in this disaster drill, representing many federal agencies, US military, and state and local response managers from Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Native American tribes and emergency management officials in British Columbia would also be represented.
The article said that the main reason for this test is to see how well we work together to minimize loss of life and damages when a mega-quake turns into a tsunami. Over 8 million people live within the subduction zone, and most of these areas are heavily populated. I think this drill is a wonderful idea, and more coastal areas should have a drill like this more often. From reading what tsunamis can do to places that are not prepared and have zero warning, places that are prepared can minimize the destruction and save many lives. I think this was also a good idea for ambulances and response teams to see what it could really be like and how hectic situations can be. You don’t know how you would really act in a dire need situation and with a little preparation and knowledge, how you act can make a big difference.
The Associated Press. (2016, June 7). Rehearsal for Mega-Quake “Catastrophe” Starts in Northwest. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/06/07/us/ap-us-doomsday-drill.html
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.