Overview:  A Cascadia earthquake and earthquake generated tsunami is going to happen.  Geological evidence tells us this.  Every day that it doesn’t happen brings us closer to that day the United States and Canada will require international assistance. If your business, organization (volunteer, local, state or federal-level government) is in the hazard zone or has responsibilities in responding to this event take advantage of this work effort. 

  • If you think your organization or community would benefit from a ground truth discovery seminar, A Better Emergency will provide at no cost.
  • If you have existing plans, A Better Emergency will do a no-cost review and offer prioritized suggestions for consideration.
  • If you have a Capstone plan but lack functional annexes or supporting documents, A Better Emergency can create them for you.
  • If you have an existing plan and annexes but want to develop a playbook for response, A Better Emergency can help with that as well.
  • Lastly if you are in need of exercising your plans, A Better Emergency can help you develop, execute, evaluate and develop your After Action Report using HSEEP guidelines.

Background

Tohoku

A catastrophic magnitude 9 earthquake hit the northeast coast of Japan on March 11, 2011. The quake and resulting tsunami killed more than 15,700 people and injured another 5,300. More than 4,600 went missing. The events destroyed or damaged buildings, roads, hospitals, schools, bridges and several reactors at a nuclear power plant. Electricity, gas and water supplies, telecommunications and railway service were disrupted. Economic losses were estimated at $309 billion.  Japan is arguably the most prepared nation in the world for this type of event. With the type of injuries, death and destruction they experienced, it will be worse for North America.

What it means for Coastal Communities at risk from a Cascadia Event Tsunami 

  • The Tohoku quake was on a subduction zone fault, almost identical to the Cascadia subduction zone fault that lies off the coast from northern California to British Columbia. The Cascadia fault last ruptured in 1700, and is capable of unleashing a tsunami every bit as powerful and devastating.
  • As devastating as Tohoku was, Japanese building codes (more restrictive and expensive than U.S. codes) prevented greater destruction.
  • The tsunami generated by the Tohoku quake, not the quake itself, was responsible for most of the deaths, injuries and property damage. The size of the waves (up to 33 feet or 10 meters) overwhelmed seawalls and other defenses. Local wave heights from a Cascadia induced tsunami may be two to three times higher.
  • The only way to protect people in the tsunami’s path is to train them to evacuate to high ground when a warning is given. In the case of Tohoku, as in a potential Cascadia subduction zone tsunami, the warning is the earthquake itself.
  • This event also means organizations typically tasked to respond will be faced with never before seen logistical challenges. Self-sufficient, small strike teams and task forces that can be inserted by air or sea will be in demand. Existing plans, procedures, polices and protocols will not address the conditions on the ground after Cascadia rips.

Target Audience:  All organizations, paid and volunteer and all levels of government, businesses and agencies along the coast or expected to support coastal communities in the aftermath of a Cascadia event tsunami.

Cost: Options are available to make this service affordable to any organization, including no cost.  A fair question to ask is why would this type of service be provided for free? As I am finishing up writing my novel about the next Cascadia Thunderbird and Whale I delved into really looking at this event’s impact. I was able to explore challenges and offer innovative mitigation strategies I think would be of value.  It motivated me enough that I would rather work pro bono if necessary to help people prepare than withhold such support and see a Cascadia hurt more than it has to.

For more details about this work effort and scheduling opportunities, please emailabetteremergency@gmail.com.