Gresham gets $2M earthquake grant

The city of Gresham has received a $2 million grant for earthquake preparation.

The city of Gresham has received a $2 million grant to help protect the Grant Butte Reservoir and pipeline from earthquakes.

The funds come from the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency, and will be used to conduct a seismic retrofit project at the 10-million-gallon Grant Butte Reservoir and pipeline that connects it to the distribution system.

The idea is with the improvement, the water system will continue to operate during and after a significant earthquake, even surviving a devastating disaster like the projected 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.

"Keeping Oregonians safe if a major earthquake strikes requires constant attention to making infrastructure secure," Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden said.