The Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Council (OSSPAC) studies, among other things, expected sanitation issues in the event of a Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) magnitude 9.0 earthquake. OSSPAC has found that Oregon’s population living within the probable earthquake-impact area will produce at least 1,000 tons of feces… every single day in the aftermath of a major disaster such as a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami.
To get an idea of how big the problem is, let’s look at blue whales. Here, we can see the size difference between a human, an elephant, and a Blue Whale. An average blue whale weighs ~160 tons, so 1,000 tons is roughly equal to the weight of six blue whales.
That’s right. Oregon’s future CSZ impact area—to say nothing of California, Washington, or British Columbia’s—will need to contend with the equivalent weight of SIX blue whales’ worth of feces… Every. Single. Day.
Individuals and families will need to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks following a major Cascadia event, meaning those within Oregon’s expected impact area will produce at least 14,000 tons of feces during those two weeks… roughly the weight of 84 full-grown blue whales. And without running water or electricity, the toilets aren’t going to flush. This sanitation issue will be worsened by the lack of running water necessary to wash hands and bodies.
Thankfully, there are simple steps you can take to get ready.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) RESOURCES TO GET YOU READY
*Quick Twin Bucket System Calculation: 2 plastic buckets (5 or 6-gallon) for 3-4 people for 3 days; a dozen buckets for a month.
Surviving Cascadia 