Are you like me and tired of the fear mongering about the pandemic? well
it could be worse.
The big earthquake predicted the for the Northwest. In a New
Yorker article in a major eartquake everything west of I-5 "is toast"
according to Kenneth Murphy, head of the FEMA division responsible for Cascadia
research. This shocking statement has brought a largely unnoticed threat to
public attention. The author's follow
up article offers excellent informationon what to do and expect. A recent
audit confirms that we are woefully unprepared when it strikes (unlike a virual
pan-um never mind). People don't think about or plan for disaster because we
like to believe nothing bad will happen. People who think this way will not
survive an earthquake. I lived in San Francisco for five years and experienced
several small quakes and trust me, even a little shaking is scary.
The Eugene Fire department
offers a free Community Emergency Response
Team course (CERT) that teaches you what to expect and what to do in an
emergency. Do research, the Red Cross and
other services have information too, look them up.
First, learn basic first aid
and CPR. Have a three day supply of food, water and essentials on hand. Don't
assume you can pick up a phone and call the fire department and they'll be
there in a jiffy. They will be overwhelmed so it may take takes days for them to get to you.
Get the whole family together and
plan an evacuation route out of the house and where to meet up in case of
separation. Your cell phone may not have local reception but you may be able to
make a long distance call. Have family or a friend as an out of state contact
for everyone.
I still have earthquake hazard
rules left over from living in SF like not placing heavy objects on shelves
that can fall on you. Securing bookshelves and the water heater to a wall. Have
shoes next to the bed in case you have to exit quickly and not step on broken
glass.
It's really, really
important to take care of you and your family but it's equally important to
help your neighbors. Despite the heartlessness of selfish survivors depicted in
disaster movies, people can and do care for each other when things go wrong.
Remember, you are most likely on your own after a fire, flood or earthquake.
Even if you never face a major
catastrophe, being prepared for more common crisis' like a heart attack,
a broken leg, a car accident or severe weather increases the chances of
survival. If you are proactive and informed should disaster strike, you will be
ready for anything.
That goes for any disaster.
Earthquake,FEMA, New Yorker, Community EmergencyRespones Team, Kenneth murphy, Red Cross.
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