The beauty and splendor of Oregon make it a great place to live, but our state has its share of extreme weather, floods, wildfires, earthquakes and even tornadoes. Under the best of circumstances government agencies and other emergency organizations can’t protect you from disaster. It’s our responsibility as individuals, neighborhoods and communities to be aware of hazards and risks, to prepare for the critical period immediately following a disaster, and to make sure that disaster preparedness has the high priority it deserves. By becoming informed of the hazards in Oregon, we can take actions to protect ourselves, reduce losses and recover quickly.
The Cascade mountain range rises from northern California to British Columbia in Canada. Consisting of many volcanoes, these beautiful mountains are also a hazard that is monitored by the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington. In Cascade Range vicinity, the number of people at immediate risk during eruptions is greater than at any other volcanic area within the United States.
To learn more, check out our
Volcano page.
While Oregon enjoys a fairly moderate climate, temperatures can soar in the summer, especially in the southern part of the state and east of the Cascades. High temperatures, humidity and hot, indoor environments can quickly cause heat-related emergencies. Excessive heat can lead to sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Tsunamis are a real hazard for coastal communities in Oregon. Whether the tsunami travels a great distance across the Pacific Ocean to reach our shores or is caused by a local megathrust earthquake, everyone should plan for what to do during such an event.
A tsunami is a series of waves or surges most often caused by a large offshore earthquake, volcano, or landslide. The shift in the earth during a quake may make the coastal water recede and then rise up several feet, striking the shore with great force. Tsunamis can be local, arriving within minutes of an earthquake, or distant, taking several hours to reach the shore.
Visit our Tsunami page for information and resources to help prepare for tsunami hazards.
Oregon’s snow-capped mountains, rugged coast and dramatic vistas are some of the geologic forces that make our state a beautiful place to live – and to visit. But did you know that Oregon is one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the continental United States?
Over the years, Oregon has had a series of earthquakes, large and small. Small (less than 3.0 magnitude) occur often although may not be felt. Larger quakes, like the 5.6 magnitude Scotts Mills earthquake in 1993, affected thousands of people and caused more than $30 million in damage in the Portland metro area. A
Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake has the potential to reach a magnitude of 9 or higher, can last up to five minutes, and will likely create a series of devastating
tsunami waves along the coast.
Earthquakes can strike suddenly, without warning and at any time of the year. Know your risks and what to do to stay safe, and to prepare your home or workplace to survive an earthquake.
Winter storms occur every year in Oregon. They can range from moderate cold winds and low temperatures to heavy snowfall, freezing rain and icy roads. The good thing about winter storms is that they can be predicted in advance, allowing you to get prepared, and become familiar with what to do before, during and after a storm.
Visit the
Winter Storms page.
When heavy or steady rain soaks the ground over several hours or days, floods may occur. Floods are one of the most common hazards in the county. Their effects can be local or affect entire parts of the state. Depending on rainfall, the level of ground saturation and the location of rivers and streams, floods may develop slowly, over a period of days. But flash floods can occur suddenly due quick-rising water along a steam or a low-lying area.
Heavy rain and flooding may cause a landslide. People, structures and roads located below steep slopes in canyons and near the mouths of canyons may be in danger.