One of the best ways to start your Cascadia preparedness journey is to imagine what the moment will be like when the shaking stops, when the tsunami waves subside. If you can imaging the moment, you can take steps to be ready for it.
There is one constant as you move through this page. In every scenario, you and your loved ones have all made it through the earthquake and tsunami alive, healthy, and uninjured—starting with that foundational perception helps tackle the “moments”.
Image Credit: ESRI Disaster Response ArcGIS database, depicting the tsunami energy release following the 1700 Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake. More information is available on Surviving Cascadia’s Tsunami page.
After the initial earthquake (there will be aftershocks) and tsunami, what situation will you find yourself in? Select one option from each of the six columns below. Then, think about the scenario you’ve built. Have February’s supersaturated soils led to more landslides and liquefaction? Has July’s heat wave left rainwater collection impossible? Do the winds make shelter setups and cooking more difficult? Are the winds pushing wildfires in your direction? How will you prepare for each scenario? Because earthquakes don’t have a “season”, they can’t be predicted. Thinking through what the situation may be like and planning for it can help ensure you have what you need when that moment comes.
Keep the following categories in mind as you think through the scenarios. Many of the supplies you’ll need, you already own. This is going to sound a little crazy, but HAVE FUN with this project. Make it a scavenger hunt. Find the items you’ll need and then make a list of things you need.
Not sure what these scenarios might be like? Visit Surviving Cascadia’s expected impact pages for the Region as a whole, or for Oregon, Washington or California.
Surviving Cascadia 