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By Laura Swanson
Why did we have fire drills during school? To practice what we would in the case of a real emergency, and we would know what to do … Practice makes perfect – well, maybe not perfect, but practicing how to respond in an emergency does help us to navigate during an emotionally stressful time. It’s as simple as that.
Having an earthquake drill let’s us practice what we need to do when we have an earthquake. Unless you live in an earthquake prone area, the responses – Duck, Cover & Hold – are not automatic, but they should be. And then if the earthquake is followed by a tsunami – Do you need to evacuate?
That’s why Tillamook County is taking the opportunity to encourage our community to take the Shake Out, a national earthquake drill, to the next level and Move out of the tsunami zone. On October 19th, Tillamook County residents that have signed up for Nixle/Everbridge alerts will receive a notice from Tillamook County Emergency Management. (Sign up here – Emergency Alert Notifications Sign up to be alerted about emergencies)
Like the “test” alert we received this week – “This is just a drill” at 10:19 am on October 19th – the earthquake hits. Drop-Cover-Hold – drop to the floor, get underneath a desk or table, then wait until the shaking stops (anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes.)
Then, MOVE Out – walking quickly (do not get in your car!) to your evacuation assembly zone in your neighborhood, if you are in the tsunami zone- you should be able to reach the assembly area in 15 to 20 minutes. Wait! How do I know if I’m in the tsunami zone? Here’s a link from the Tillamook Emergency Management page to the DOGMI tsunami zone maps – TSUNAMI & HAZARD AREA MAPS – http://www.oregongeology.org/tsuclearinghouse/pubs-evacbro.htm
It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the maps, the evacuation routes and assembly areas. Who knows where you might be when the “big one” hits – or the drill on October 19th? For example, maybe you’re visiting friends in Rockaway Beach – yep, tsunami zone, head for the hills. Neskowin or Netarts? Again, head for the hills. Many people say, “Well, I work in Tillamook, we’re not in the zone.” Look again – the tsunami zone “surrounds” Tillamook, so you might be on an island, and remember a massive earthquake hits first. All this preparation and practice helps our community to be ready, to take care of ourselves and our neighbors when we are faced with an emergency. Tillamook County is very fortunate to have emergency volunteer groups in nearly every community that can help you “be prepared, not scared.”
So get ready to practice on October 19th at 10:19 am – Shake out – Drop, cover & hold; then MOVE out. Grab your Go-Bag and head to the nearest assembly area. Emergency preparedness provides resiliency and safety for our communities in the case of any type of emergency.
For the Shake Out drill, let us know that you’re participating by signing up here: register for the Shake Out – ShakeOut.org/oregon – then get your GoBag ready, and make your evacuation plans.
