NEWPORT –– With the threat of a magnitude 9 earthquake and ensuing tsunami looming large over coastal communities in the Pacific Northwest, government officials and those with knowledge of the impending Cascadia earthquake urge residents along the coast to take measures now to prepare.

“The largest vulnerability for all coastal communities is personal awareness and preparedness,” said Laura Gabel, coastal field geologist for the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. “There is no amount of government effort that will negate the need for every individual to know what to do when the earthquake hits.”

Gabel adds, “With 10 to 30 minutes before the tsunami arrives, prompt evacuation is the only option for survival for those within the inundation zone and that is only achievable if people educate themselves now, before the event.”

It’s a difficult goal, but Gabel believes it can be reached.

The geologist said outreach to the public goes on all the time in an effort to inform coastal residents and tourists about what they can do to prepare for the earthquake, which scientists estimate happens in the Cascadia Subduction Zone every 300 to 600 years. The last Cascadia earthquake occurred in January of 1700 and was in the magnitude 8.7 to 9.2 range.

“The more ways we can reach people the better,” Gabel said. “Newport recently painted blue lines on all key streets at the edge of the inundation zone. This serves as an educational tool as well as a destination for evacuees during the event.”

Evacuation route signs, Gabel said, are also very important.

“Cannon Beach recently added route signs every 50 feet to ensure that someone could follow the signs without knowing their way around and reach safety without taking wrong turns,” she said.