Posted on Mar 19, 2022
New evacuation models show tsunami risks, routes for more Oregon coastal communities
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How much time do you have to get out of the way of a tsunami? And what way should you go and how fast do you have to move?
Earthquake experts in the Northwest have said the Cascadia Subduction Zone is due for a large, undersea seismic event — possibly soon — which could trigger a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami along the Oregon Coast. Detailing where people should go and how quickly in the event of an earthquake, is the focus of the latest reports published by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries on Thursday.
The reports and accompanying maps cover the key tourist destinations in Clatsop County including Astoria and Cannon Beach, as well as nearby communities of Arch Cape and Falcon Cove.
The “Beat the Wave” modeling reports are lengthy and dense — with detailed maps, hypothetical seismic scenarios and methodological explanations filling nearly 60 pages just for Astoria and its surroundings. Taken as a whole, the reports suggest that different parts of coastal Clatsop County expose residents and visitors to a range of risks, depending on the topography of the area, the arrival time of tsunami waves, and the roads and trails available. The relative safety of tsunami evacuations are further complicated by other variables, including whether the earthquake would cause local landslides or liquefaction, and whether critical roads and bridges would survive the seismic disturbance.
Earthquake experts in the Northwest have said the Cascadia Subduction Zone is due for a large, undersea seismic event — possibly soon — which could trigger a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami along the Oregon Coast. Detailing where people should go and how quickly in the event of an earthquake, is the focus of the latest reports published by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries on Thursday.
The reports and accompanying maps cover the key tourist destinations in Clatsop County including Astoria and Cannon Beach, as well as nearby communities of Arch Cape and Falcon Cove.
The “Beat the Wave” modeling reports are lengthy and dense — with detailed maps, hypothetical seismic scenarios and methodological explanations filling nearly 60 pages just for Astoria and its surroundings. Taken as a whole, the reports suggest that different parts of coastal Clatsop County expose residents and visitors to a range of risks, depending on the topography of the area, the arrival time of tsunami waves, and the roads and trails available. The relative safety of tsunami evacuations are further complicated by other variables, including whether the earthquake would cause local landslides or liquefaction, and whether critical roads and bridges would survive the seismic disturbance.
New evacuation models show tsunami risks, routes for more Oregon coastal communities
Posted from opb.org
Natural Disaster
Science
Geology
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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Good read. Topography plays a huge determining factor. As well as how fast the warnings get on as tsunamis have a tendency to be fast movers.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
MAJ Roland McDonald - Yep, Thankfully I was Much Younger then. Not as Cold as it can get Here in Kansas Though.
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MAJ Roland McDonald
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Hey I grew up here in kansas in late 60's and 70's. And am currently in my daughters house in olathe visiting first grandkid. Looking to move back from TN to be closer to grandkid.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
MAJ Roland McDonald - Isn't it Nice Today? Just Up the Road a Bit in Prairie Village.
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When the water begins sucking away from land, you need to move quickly but calmly away from the water. Look at nearby hills and head toward the tallest one that has rocks.
Cars, trees, houses, even tall buildings can trap you. Do not tie yourself to anything because once the tether extends fully, you will go underwater, and nobody is strong enough to fight their way to the top.
Once the water returns, grab something that floats and hang on tightly. Try to orient yourself so that your feet lead the way. Cross your ankles because of the risk of implements in certain nether regions.
Do not try to fight the current: you will lose. You can paddle toward the side of the flow but keep the angle shallow, between 30° and 45°.
Do not let go of one flotation device until you are already holding another.
Once the forward flow (away from the coast) stops, do not let go of your flotation. The water is about to flow back toward the shore. It should move a lot slower than when it flowed inland.
Stay calm and keep your eyes moving. Sing a song if necessary to stay calm. If you panic, you will likely have a less than optimal outcome.
Once you finally stop, cleanse and bandage any wounds. Freshwater is not likely available, so use any bottled drink to wash your wounds. Once you find some antibiotic cream, apply it. The water you were in contained whatever was in the sewage lines.
Do not stand around looking dazed. Find people to help. Use any first aid and CPR skills. Clean and dress wounds, hand out drinks, be a source for separated children by gathering them in a safe place, and make a list of names. Leave plenty of space between names so that you can attempt keeping the list in alpha order. Get phone numbers if the kids know them. For kids with cellphones and no service, tell them to send text messages to the adults with them and someone at home. Text messages take up very little bandwidth, unlike phone calls. The device will continue attempting to send the message anytime it picks up any signal.
Put older kids in charge of small groups. Find colored cloth to distinguish the groups. Find the daredevil to climb something to stream brightly colored banners so that people can spread the word.
The person in the gathered adults who is screaming and inconsolable will likely accept an "order" to go help the kids. Putting screamers to work breaks their focus and stops being a drain on your nerves.
The goal is to save the lives of as many people as possible. If someone has injuries so bad that no matter what you do, they will die, move to the next person. You can assign an older kid or wandering adult to stay with the person until they die.
As you create makeshift bandages, use the cloth worn by the people you assist. If you start with your clothes, you will soon scare the next person because you are naked.
Keep busy so that your mind does not get bogged down in the trauma you experienced. Delegate as much as you can. Everyone, including you, needs rest and sleep. Create a schedule for everyone helping. When it is someone's turn to sleep, they must attempt it or just lay still for the allotted time.
Cars, trees, houses, even tall buildings can trap you. Do not tie yourself to anything because once the tether extends fully, you will go underwater, and nobody is strong enough to fight their way to the top.
Once the water returns, grab something that floats and hang on tightly. Try to orient yourself so that your feet lead the way. Cross your ankles because of the risk of implements in certain nether regions.
Do not try to fight the current: you will lose. You can paddle toward the side of the flow but keep the angle shallow, between 30° and 45°.
Do not let go of one flotation device until you are already holding another.
Once the forward flow (away from the coast) stops, do not let go of your flotation. The water is about to flow back toward the shore. It should move a lot slower than when it flowed inland.
Stay calm and keep your eyes moving. Sing a song if necessary to stay calm. If you panic, you will likely have a less than optimal outcome.
Once you finally stop, cleanse and bandage any wounds. Freshwater is not likely available, so use any bottled drink to wash your wounds. Once you find some antibiotic cream, apply it. The water you were in contained whatever was in the sewage lines.
Do not stand around looking dazed. Find people to help. Use any first aid and CPR skills. Clean and dress wounds, hand out drinks, be a source for separated children by gathering them in a safe place, and make a list of names. Leave plenty of space between names so that you can attempt keeping the list in alpha order. Get phone numbers if the kids know them. For kids with cellphones and no service, tell them to send text messages to the adults with them and someone at home. Text messages take up very little bandwidth, unlike phone calls. The device will continue attempting to send the message anytime it picks up any signal.
Put older kids in charge of small groups. Find colored cloth to distinguish the groups. Find the daredevil to climb something to stream brightly colored banners so that people can spread the word.
The person in the gathered adults who is screaming and inconsolable will likely accept an "order" to go help the kids. Putting screamers to work breaks their focus and stops being a drain on your nerves.
The goal is to save the lives of as many people as possible. If someone has injuries so bad that no matter what you do, they will die, move to the next person. You can assign an older kid or wandering adult to stay with the person until they die.
As you create makeshift bandages, use the cloth worn by the people you assist. If you start with your clothes, you will soon scare the next person because you are naked.
Keep busy so that your mind does not get bogged down in the trauma you experienced. Delegate as much as you can. Everyone, including you, needs rest and sleep. Create a schedule for everyone helping. When it is someone's turn to sleep, they must attempt it or just lay still for the allotted time.
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