PACIFIC NORTHWEST EARTHQUAKE INSTALL

“Cascadia poses a unique threat,' said University of Oregon Earth Sciences Professor Doug Toomey. A warning can have significant impact by alerting citizens of the need to take appropriate action when an earthquake occurs. It can help reduce the long-term economic losses that are often excluded from damage estimates. An early warning system can send alerts to trigger automatic shutdowns of trains, manufacturing lines, close bridges, and protect students in unsafe schools. It also clarifies that FEMA may use hazard mitigation funds to improve the earthquake early warning system. We must take the threat of a catastrophic earthquake seriously, and this legislation is a good first step,” said DeFazio.ĭeFazio’s legislation would require FEMA to develop a plan, and identify the necessary funding for purchase and installation of an earthquake early warning system for the Cascadia Subduction Zone. It also directs the President to establish an Earthquake and Tsunami Task Force that will develop a strategy to better protect and prepare for major earthquakes and tsunamis on the Cascadia Subduction Zone that could devastate our coastlines.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST EARTHQUAKE INSTALL

My legislation directs FEMA to identify critical funding to purchase and install an earthquake early warning system that could save thousands of lives, countless injuries, and billions of dollars of damage. If an earthquake of a similar magnitude hit today, the State of Oregon estimates that thousands will be killed or injured and Oregon will suffer $32 billion in economic damages.

“Tomorrow, we will mark the 317th anniversary of the last major earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Yesterday, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced legislation to help fund an earthquake early warning system that could save lives, reduce injuries, and mitigate infrastructure damage from the devastating effects of a major quake off the Oregon Coast. DeFazio’s bill, the “Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act of 2017,” was introduced in advance of the 317th anniversary of the last major Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake which will occur on January 26, 2017.

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