In the wake of a recent analysis covering more than 2,200 miles of municipal pipes and plumbing systems, Portland city officials have reached a concerning conclusion: a major earthquake could leave nearly a million people in a 225-square-mile region without water for at least two weeks. This includes homes, businesses, fire stations, hospitals, and other vital first responder facilities.
The Portland Water Bureau informed *The Prepared* that approximately 1,500 to 3,000 main breaks are anticipated following such an event, significantly impacting their capacity to deliver water to nearly a million residents in the Portland metropolitan area and surrounding regions. Last month, Michael Stuhr from the Bureau addressed Portland residents, emphasizing the severity of the situation:
"If a major earthquake were to strike tomorrow, there would indeed be no water available at all," he stated candidly. According to Stuhr, the city's simulations predict that three out of the five pipes crossing the Willamette River will fail during an earthquake, making it impossible to ensure uninterrupted water supply to all residents post-disaster.
As a precautionary measure, the Bureau recommends every household stockpile 14 gallons of water per person. This aligns with standard emergency preparedness guidelines, which suggest storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of two weeks.
Relief efforts are underway, albeit gradually. A spokesperson for the Bureau mentioned ongoing construction projects designed to meet the objectives outlined in the Oregon Resilience Plan. This plan aims to restore functionality to critical backbone pipes under the Willamette River within 24 hours of an earthquake and replace sufficient distribution lines over the next 30 to 50 years to manage failures within two weeks. The portion of the project focused on enhancing these backbone pipes is scheduled for completion by 2022. These pipes play a crucial role in transferring water between different parts of the region, and any disruption here could jeopardize access for everyone.
What You Should Do
Most discussions about the potential effects of a significant Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake center around the dangers of liquefaction and structural damage to roads and buildings—this article reflects that trend. Consequently, many people in earthquake-prone areas prioritize preparing for such structural issues.
However, this latest Portland Water Bureau study reveals that even if you're among the estimated 250,000 individuals at risk of prolonged displacement due to a major CSZ quake, you may still face prolonged water shortages. Therefore, regardless of whether your home or local infrastructure seems vulnerable, treating the threat to water accessibility as seriously as someone living near the epicenter is essential.
For those in the CSZ:
- Familiarize yourself with earthquake preparation strategies.
- Purchase, fill, and store adequate short-term emergency water storage containers to hold 14 gallons per person in your household.
- Invest in a survival water filter to treat additional water sources.
- Avoid relying on unconventional methods like filling bathtubs, tapping into water heaters, or using milk jugs/soda bottles—they aren't reliable options.
- Utilize the public alert system in the Portland-Vancouver area for timely notifications.
- Visit Portland’s comprehensive emergency website featuring an earthquake-specific section.
- Explore Oregon’s interactive geological hazard map to gauge exposure levels; remember, even in lower-risk zones, water might remain unavailable for weeks.
Additional Note: The annual Oregon ShakeOut drill occurs on October 17, providing an opportunity for statewide earthquake response practice.
This information serves as a reminder of the importance of readiness, especially given the unpredictable nature of natural disasters. Being proactive can make all the difference when disaster strikes.
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