Duck and Cover- The Great Shakeout!

Tomorrow, October 17, you may be slightly confused when your coworkers climb under their desks at approximately 10:17am.  No, it's not because Congress is in the process of actually making a decision- it's the Great Shakeout!  

The Great Shakeout is designed to help people prepare for the possibility of an earthquake- and ensuing natural disaster in their area.  Both individuals and organizations can sign up for the Shakeout- and if you live in a tsunami-prone area, there will likely be a tsunami drill; like that at my workplace- the Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport OR.

Drop and Cover!

If you or your organization wants to participate, you can still register at the Shakeout's webpage- there is probably one in your area! Additionally, your organization or community may have further information as to a tsunami drill, and what you should do.

You can never be too prepared in the case of a natural disaster- check out my Tsunami and Disaster Preparedness page for more information and links for disaster preparedness.  Practicing in the best-case scenario can prepare you for the worst.

News Updates

**Updates**


Today is yet another day for updates.  Amidst several news sources who are still barely reporting on the tsunami debris that washed up months ago, there are in fact some new events that are worth reporting.

Japanese boat found in Hawaii
On Saturday, October 6th, Peter Grillo, the captain of a tuna fishing vessel, spied a boat floating capsized 700 miles offshore of Oahu. He towed the vessel back to the dock, and cleaned the intact boat of barnacles.  The boat was clearly Japanese, and tested negative for radiation.  Upon gathering further information on the boat, the previous owners were in fact contacted.  However, they didn't appear to show any interest in having their skiff returned.

Capt. Peter Grillo and the salvaged boat.  [Photo and story: Huffington Post]

Upcoming Tsunami Evacuation Drill: Newport, Oregon
A tsunami evacuation drill is to be conducted in the South Beach area of Newport, Oregon on October 11th at 10:18am. This is mainly for folks at the Hatfield Marine Science Center and those who live and work in the South Beach Area.  Traffic will be stopped as the entire Newport bridge will be temporarily shut down (10:30am to 10:35am).  Participants will be presented with a number of obstacles, and will muster at Safe Haven Hill, near the HMSC campus and Newport Aquarium.

A second drill will take place on October 18th, in collaboration with the Great Oregon Shake Out.  This will explore an alternative evacuation route to the Oregon Coast Community College.

Great Oregon Shake Out- Stop, Drop, and Hold!
On October 18th, more than 99,000 Oregonians will participate in an earthquake/tsunami drill at 10:18 in the morning. This event was organized to promote earthquake awareness and disaster preparedness statewide. Visit their website for more information, and to register yourself or your organization.

 A Public Works employee demonstrates 'stop, drop, and hold'.  And is forever immortalized in an odd position for the use of public media. [Photo: http://www.shakeout.org/oregon/]

Tillamook, Oregon to Disable Tsunami Sirens
The battle for the tsunami sirens in Tillamook, Oregon has been raging for months, and the decision to disable them has finally been made. The argument against the sirens is that they will likely be wiped out and useless in the case of a local earthquake. Other critics argue the sign to evacuate will be obvious- the earthquake itself.  The sirens have been touted as 'World War II' technology with obscure parts, and are being replaced by newer innovations such as reverse 911, Facebook, emergency texts, or other methods. However, not everybody is on board with this.

Resident Ocie Johnson argues that the sirens are fail-safe in the case of a distant tsunami, and that the elderly do not always have access to certain sources, such as Facebook or text messaging (a good point).  Somewhat ironically, Johnson started a Facebook group, 'SOS Save Our Sirens in Tillamook County' to spread support for keeping them.

Despite Ocie, and other petitioners' best efforts, the sirens are due to be retired on January 1, 2013. Only time will tell whether this will be detrimental.

Farewell to Alarms:  The Tillamook tsunami sirens will be abandoned on January 1, 2013. [Photo: EVC of Nehelem Bay]