September is National Preparedness Month, Sept. 3

September is National Preparedness Month and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging the U.S. to “be disaster aware, take action to prepare.” In Oregon, events will take place highlighting the importance of emergency preparedness and what individuals and families can do to prepare for emergencies. One such event called “Race the Wave” will take runners and walkers along a tsunami evacuation route in Cannon Beach, Ore., Sept. 28, and be followed by an emergency preparedness fair near the city’s supply cache containers established above the tsunami inundation zone. The event is a collaborative effort among FEMA, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), Clatsop County, the City of Cannon Beach and its citizens, focusing on the importance of emergency preparedness for a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami, and highlighting the work Cannon Beach has done as a community to prepare. “It is amazing to be a part of an event where the whole community is coming together to raise awareness about the importance of preparation,” Clatsop County Emergency Manager Tiffany Brown said. “Being prepared will save lives and property during a disaster.” Oregon is located near the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 600 hundred mile earthquake fault stretching from offshore Northern California to Southern British Columbia. Experts predict a large earthquake and tsunami similar to the one that struck Japan in 2011 could strike Oregon in the near future. “The Cascadia Subduction Zone has let rip with more than 40 great earthquakes,” State Geologist Vicki McConnell explained. “It’s geologically active, and Oregon could experience a huge earthquake and tsunami anytime.” The theme for the race is: “Know the Plan, Take the Route, Race the Wave.” “One of the best ways to get prepared for a tsunami is to practice walking or even running the escape routes,” said OEM Geologic Hazards Coordinator Althea Rizzo. “Race the Wave is a great way to practice that route and have a lot of fun doing it.” Registration is limited to the first 200 participants and the emergency preparedness fair is free and open to the public. To register go to: http://www.active.com/cannon-beach-or/running/distance-running-races/race-the-wave-5k-2014?int=