weather, geology & physics: reducing risks
DESCRIPTION
Bellevue Washington is so beautiful, but a lot of the reasons it is so beautiful are because the land has been shaped by powerful geological and weather forces. Those forces combined with gravity & physics mean we need to take steps to be reduce risks now.TRANSCRIPT
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• [email protected]• @caroldn• 425-452-7923
• Useful websites:– Ready.gov– http://3days3ways.org– www.redcross.org