Community disaster preparedness

Cascadia Earthquake Preparedness

A major earthquake off the Pacific Northwest coast could happen at any time. OSU Extension is playing a critical role in helping Oregon's people and communities prepare for this predicted natural disaster.

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Photo Credit: ftfoxfoto - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest Resources

After a wildfire: Flash floods and debris flows

Flash floods and debris flows after a wildfire.

Carrie Berger, NOAA | Oct 2020 | Article

FEMA: Repairing/Rebuilding After a Wildfire – Resources You Can Use

Mitigation is acting now to reduce future risk. You can repair/rebuild safer and stronger after wildfires and straight-line winds and Community Education and Outreach can help you on your recovery journey.

Carrie Berger, FEMA | Oct 2020 | Article

Know the three levels of wildfire evacuation in Oregon

Be ready, be set, go! During a wildfire, a three-tier evacuation warning system is put in place for residents whose homes are threatened. Knowing what each tier means can help residents better navigate an evacuation.

Carrie Berger, Oregon Department of Emergency Management | Sep 2020 | Article

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Videos and webinars

When Wildfire Hits: One Community's Journey to Recovery (Recorded) (in English)

Planning and preparing for wildfire can feel like a massive endeavor. What can we do? Who can help? How do we continue to build wildfire adapted and prepared communities? Every community is unique; however, you are not alone....

Carrie Berger | Oct 2021 | Video

Building community for wildfire resilience (Recorded) (in English)

Fire doesn’t stop at property lines so we must create resilient landscapes as a community. Different communities, different ways to prepare for wildfire. Listen to five panelists from all over Oregon and learn about the way they have come together to reduce fuels and mitigate fire risk.

Carrie Berger | Apr 2021 | Video

It takes a village! (Recorded) (in English)

This first webinar kicked off with an introduction to fire risk, community preparedness, and knowing your resources.

Amanda Rau, Christopher Adlam, Ariel Cowan, Katherine Wollstein, John Rizza, Aaron Groth, Carrie Berger, Dan Leavell | Mar 2021 | Video

Extension is connected nationally to support you

The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) works to reduce the impact of disasters through research-based education and improve delivery of services to citizens affected by disasters and pandemics. This searchable resource directory provides a wealth of information from a collaborative multi-state effort by Extension Services across the country.

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Featured Resources

Medidas de Acción de Cascadia: Es Hora de Prepararnos

Las Medidas de Acción de Cascadia explican cómo los residentes y visitantes de Oregón pueden prepararse para sobrevivir y reconstruir, después del esperado terremoto de Cascadia y el consecuente tsunami.

Glenda Hyde, Lynette Black, Patrick Corcoran, Lauren Kraemer, Catalina Sánchez-Frank | Sep 2021 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Social geometry of collaborative flood risk management (in English)

Using the case study of Tillamook County, this study draws upon qualitative interview data to identify and explain social factors that have influenced the outcome of a collaborative, socially engaged flood management project.

Aug 2020 | OSU Sea Grant Publication

Tsunami Quests (in English)

A video that describes the quest concept and how quests are used to teach coastal visitors and locals what to do in the event of a tsunami.

Jun 2017 | OSU Sea Grant Publication

Latest News

PSA campaign equips Central Oregon to become a fire-adapted community

OSU Extension and Oregon State Fire Marshal co-facilitated project organization, script writing, reviewing, filming and collection of previous footage to craft six videos developed in both English and Spanish.

Ariel Cowan | Mar 2024 | Impact story

Partnership educates Clatsop County Hispanic-Latinx residents about natural hazards

The aim was to co-create inclusive hazard awareness and emergency preparedness materials with Hispanic-Latinx coastal community members in Clatsop County.

Felicia Olmeta Schult | Mar 2024 | Impact story

Education efforts result in residential awareness to defend structures against wildfires

Oregon State University Extension Service collaborated with Benton County, Oregon Department of Forestry Home Ignition Zone assessors, Oregon State Fire Marshal and local fire districts to design resources for community members and advance cohesive, learner-centered Home Ignition Zone education.

Kayla Bordelon | Mar 2024 | Impact story

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More disaster preparedness resources

Preparación para el Evento de la Zona de Subducción de Cascadia: En este curso interactivo, los residentes y visitantes de Oregón y de otros estados del oeste pueden obtener información sobre el evento de la zona de subducción de Cascadia y aprender a prepararse. Este curso se ofrece gratis al público en campus.eXtension.org a través del programa de Servicios de Extensión de Oregon State University. Este proyecto es apoyado por el Programa de Subvenciones Competitivas Smith-Lever para Necesidades Especiales del Instituto Nacional de Alimentación y Agricultura (Premio # 2018-41210-28702). (Inglés: Preparing for the Cascadia Subduction Zone Event)
Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) (in English): The office coordinates and maintains a statewide emergency services system for emergency and disaster communications. OEM is made up of four Sections: Director’s Office, Technology and Response, Operations and Preparedness, and Mitigation and Recovery Services.
Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery (in English): The State of Oregon's hub for government resources on air quality index, fire hotspots maps and wildfire damage relief.
American Red Cross Training Services (in English): Sign up for CPR, AED and First Aid training and certification through the American Red Cross.

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Meet Our Experts

Aaron Groth

Regional Fire Specialist, Coast

Contact me with questions about fire preparedness and response in Coastal Oregon.

Glenda Hyde

Associate Professor of Practice, Family and Community Health; OSU Extension Service Extension Disaster Education Network Delegate

Contact me with questions about food safety and preservation, managing stress and emergency/disaster preparedness

Emily Reilly

SNAP-Ed/Family and Community Health Program Coordinator

FCH/SNAP-ED program Coordinator for Clatsop County

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Soda bottles for emergency water storage?

P: Is it safe to store water in 2 Liter soda containers after cleaning? I think people get them mixed up with the gallon milk containers, which I know are not good for emergency water storage.

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