Beginning in June, the Lewis County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) will lead a discussion-based activity to address the recovery phase 96 hours after a hypothetical 9.0 earthquake hits the Pacific Northwest.
Federal, state and local jurisdictions throughout the Northwest will also be participating in a regional training, called the “Cascadia Rising event.”
“I don’t know that people realize the damage that would be caused from an earthquake of this magnitude,” DEM Deputy Director Ross McDowell said. “These exercises will provide our community the needed information to make plans for this type of disaster — which experts say is likely to happen in the next 50 years.”
These events require registration. They are open to the public and will include attendance from fire districts, first responders and other organizations throughout Lewis County.
Damage projections for bridges and roadway infrastructure indicate that isolation areas will be created within Lewis County. Therefore, it is preferred that citizens attend the community event closest to their home or place of work, in order to get the most benefit from the exercise.
“Anybody that would like to participate in the exercise, be a part of your own community’s emergency preparedness discussion, or is just curious, should attend one of these events,” said DEM Emergency Planner Erika Katt.
Those interested in attending should register for just one of the local events, as the same scenario and discussion topics will be presented June 13 through 16, all beginning at 3 p.m.
Dates and locations are as follows:
• June 13 at Baw Faw Grange, 995 Boistfort Road, Curtis
• June 14 at The Salvation Army, 303 N. Gold St., Centralia
• June 15 at Winlock Senior Center, 119 SW Kerron St., Winlock
• June 16 at the Bob Lyle Building, 700 Main Ave., Morton
To register for one of these exercises, visit https://bit.ly/3L4gXoe or scan the QR code on community flyers seen around town.
