weather, geology & physics: reducing risks

Weather, Geology + Physics:

Reducing Risks

Carol DunnCity of Bellevue

Emergency Preparedness Division

We are so lucky to live in the Pacific Northwest

Beautiful mountains

Gorgeous trees

Water

Not every day is a nice day though

Our systems block out future risk

Photo by bitboy

Be prepared for disruption

Having Back ups of Critical Supplies and information helps

Always Squirrel a Bit Away

Disaster Supplies

How to start?

Where to put them?

• Life • Liberty• Pursuit of Happiness

Life: Stay Healthy

Boil water for at least 1 minute to kill bacteria

Save at least 3 gallons of water per person:

1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days

Ready for Disruption: Water

Back up food

Best:Non Perishable

No need for heatingLimited water

No need to: heat, refrigerateor add water

Stay healthy

Stay Healthy

Control Germs

Safe ways to keep warm

Liberty: Freedom of movement

Get through debris

Communication

Out of Area Contact• Use this contact to relay

information with people in the affected area.

Texting – texting can be a great way to communicate in times of disaster.

Email/Internet sometimes works when phones don’t

211—Language Support

•Meeting Places•Pre-agreed plans with members of the community to check up and help each other

Realize, sometimes technology will totally fail

Local radio & TVwww.RPIN.ORG www.bellevuwa.gov www.facebook.com/BellevueOEM

Information Sources

Cell Phone/Email Notifications

Calling CardCalling Card

Happiness: Have a Back Up Care Plan

Not just for people

It is beautiful here, but not every day

Fires

Earthquakes

Severe Storms

Identifying Risks? KC iMap

Biggest Risk in King County

= 3,970 fires

= $59,850,565.00

= 11 fatalities1 Year

2007= 897

= $160,516

Early 911 Response Critical!

9-1-1!

Smoke detectors & hearing

Studies have shown that tone is not optimal, and flashing lights don’t always wake people up.

University of Washington Neptune Project

Earthquakes: ShallowEarthquakes: Shallow

• Lasts about 20 seconds

• Very intense localized shaking

• 1,100 years ago: with Elliot Bay Tsunami, landslides

• Aftershocks likely

Best thing about earthquakes:

We have a say about almost everything.

Except when it will happen.

Every problem has a solution

Best: low, wood --Bolted to Foundation

The importance of bolting

A house that is pushed off its foundation must be demolished and rebuilt. Bolting only costs around $2,000-5,000. Look for grants or community programs to help.

OK: Steel and reinforced concrete:

Bad for Quakes: Soft Structures

Worst for earthquakes

Worst: Un-reinforced brick (recognized by levels of brick ends)

Not very good: reinforced bricks (recognized when all bricks show their sides)

Not very good: Retrofitted masonry (recognized by the added bolts)5 out of 6 were damaged during the 2001 Nisqually Quake

We need to RealizeWe need to RealizeMost fixes pretty easyMost fixes pretty easy

Cold Arctic Blasts

Hot Tropical Weather

Source: Environment Canada

Common Problems:Big Storms: Rain

Source: Seattle PI

Big Storms: Wind

Big Storm: Snow

Weather: Snow

• Convergence zone, but also occasional weather events.

• Cold• Disrupted

Transportation/ Commerce

Be prepared for disruption

Take steps today!

• Visualize the steps you are going to take today:– Write a pledge to build preparedness– Pull together the supplies you have– Write down contact & back up caregivers– Reach out to a neighbor – Act

Let me help you!

• Carol Dunn• cdunn@bellevuewa.gov• @caroldn• 425-452-7923

• Useful websites:– Ready.gov– http://3days3ways.org– www.redcross.org