New report says Oregon coast lacks vertical tsunami evacuation structures

In the event of a tsunami triggered by a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, residents of coastal communities in Oregon have less than 20 minutes from the time ground shaking starts to evacuate from Tsunami Hazard Zones. That’s according to a new report, published last week, by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. According to the report, for many residents and visitors in the area, that wouldn’t be enough time to reach high ground.

The report releases guidance for implementing Vertical Evacuation Structures on the Oregon Coast — buildings that are made to withstand tsunami waves. Officials say the state has only one structure, and would need at least 15 to adequately fit the area for a disaster of that scale.  

Bridget Good is the Mitigation Program Analyst at the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, and she joins us to discuss the report and the guidelines.

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