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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Dropped golf course a loss for the south coast ... Trading coho for chinook ... UPDATED: Ten dead in UCC shooting ... Our View: Dropped golf course a loss for the south coast ... Trading coho for chinook ... UPDATED: Ten dead in UCC shooting ... HEALTHY AGING Expert offers advice on quake preparedness Comment By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Readers: I have never done this before — asked someone to write my weekly column because I felt the topic was critically important to get exactly right. What Eric Dittmer, a geoscientist and professor emeritus of Geology and Environmental Studies at Southern Oregon University, has to say will save your life. Please read it thoughtfully. What would you do if we had a truly large earthquake here in Oregon? Sadly, the possibility is real and the effects could extend from Northern California to southern Canada! The good news is that such an event is survivable with proper preparation. We live in a region where two pieces of the earth’s crust are colliding. Geoscientists call it the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The north-south boundary, found just offshore, extends more than 600 miles from Northern California to southern Canada. The world’s largest recorded earthquakes occur along subduction zones. According to the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), the Pacific Northwest has experienced more than 40 earthquakes (magnitude-8 or greater) in the last 10,000 years, or about every 250 years. The last one was on January 26, 1700. We are already overdue! Several minutes of severe shaking will likely result in building damage, loss of power, water and communication. Streets may be blocked. First responders will be overwhelmed. Officials at DOGAMI note that, “95 percent of the rescues in a disaster come from your neighbors.” Many readers of this column have special needs and may need additional help in an emergency. What can you do to help yourself and others? Here are a few general suggestions and references to more information: BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE Talk with anyone you live with, your family and neighbors about what you would do in an emergency. Prepare a plan. Where will you all meet afterwards? Locate “safe areas” in your residence — under a nearby desk or heavy table or next to a bed or counter — away from windows and heavy objects that may fall. Practice — If you have limited mobility, practice to see what you can do. Sign up for the “Disaster Registry” through the Rogue Valley Council of Governments. Contact Connie Saldana at 541-664-6674 for information. Secure water heaters, entertainment centers and bookshelves . Know how to turn off your utilities. Do you need a special tool? Prepare emergency supplies of extra food, water, medicines, first aid kit, flashlights, radio/batteries, etc. Here are some references for more information: Oregon Emergency Management: www.oregon.gov/OMD/OEM/Pages/index.aspx Ashland Community Emergency response team: www.ashland.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=541 Red Cross : www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/earthquake U.S. Geological Surve y: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/ Earthquake preparedness : www.oregongeology.org Rogue Valley Council of Governments : Disaster Registry: www.rvcog.org/mn.asp?pg=SDS_DR DURING AN EARTHQUAKE Duck, cover and hold on (if you can). Do not just wait to see how big it will get! Move to your closest safe area and protect your head. JUST AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE Check yourself to see if you are OK, then others as well. Check to see if you have any immediate hazards such as leaking gas. Follow your plan; locate your emergency supplies Do not make unnecessary calls — the phone system, if it survived, will soon be overloaded! Remember that even large earthquakes are survivable with proper preparation. Be prepared. Sharon Johnson is a retired Oregon State University associate professor emeritus. Reach her at [email protected]. By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Sharon Johnson for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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