Ten Years Later – Lessons Learned
It was ten years ago today the Boxing Day earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, sending a massive tsunami to devastate that island and damage areas more than three – thousand miles away.
It’s estimated the waves claimed more than 280-thousand lives and caused billions of dollars in damage.
It caught the attention of scientists and emergency managers in the Northwest. They had already been talking about the risk of a similar occurrence here for several years. The graphic images and results of the Sumatra tragedy were used to help bring the local hazards into focus.
Althea Rizzo, the Geologic Hazards Program Coordinator for the Oregon Office of Emergency Management says Oregon is located in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, an offshore fault line stretching from Northern California to British Columbia. A 9.0 or larger earthquake could strike Oregon and the rest of the region at any time.
Rizzo stresses the importance of being prepared; knowing evacuation routes; and having emergency plans. She said ongoing efforts are being catalogued at www-dot-OregonTsunami-dot-org.
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After a ten year run helping to govern Florence, Mayor Nola Xavier is preparing to step aside from her role as Mayor. Her term comes to an end January 5th when Joe Henry will take the gavel. During her time here, Xavier has found Florence to be a town of “doers”.
203 – “We live in an amazing community. The people in this town are super volunteers and they are dedicated to their passions and there’s a place for everybody.”
Serving on the City Council and as Mayor, says Xavier, happened to be her place.
204 – “Now I’m looking for a new one and I think I know what it is. After a month or so to finally get caught up with my sleep and my stress elimination I will start on my new project because I do have one.”
She seemed a little wistful thinking back at what she’s accomplished, but knows there are plenty more things to help with in the future.
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The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will volunteer whale watchers posted at 24 different locations up and down the Oregon Coast beginning tomorrow.
The specially trained volunteers will be available from ten AM to one PM to help visitors to the coast during the Christmas holiday break to spot the Gray Whales as they head south for the winter.
Locally, the volunteers will be at Cook’s Chasm Turnout just south of Cape Perpetua and just north of Sea Lion Caves. They’ll also be posted at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park near Winchester Bay.
The volunteers will be there every day through December 31st beginning tomorrow.
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