Disaster Preparedness
Potential Disasters In The Nehalem Bay Region
The Nehalem Bay Region is subject to a variety of potential disasters. The more you know about each of these risks, the better able you are to prepare. Ready.gov and the American Red Cross are useful informational websites.
Earthquakes & Tsunamis
The Oregon Coast is prone to earthquakes and thus to the threat of tsunamis as well. The worst case would be a major rupture on the Cascadia Subduction Zone just offshore. The violent shaking would be felt all along the coast and be followed in a matter of minutes by a tsunami, which would cause major damage.
Earthquakes in remote locations – Alaska, South America, Asia, or other places around the Pacific Ocean – are of minor concern.
The rule for earthquakes on the coast is: If you feel the quake, move to high ground immediately. If you don’t feel the quake, just stay off the beach or out of low-lying coastal areas.
Know the Terms:
Information Statement. No threat or very distant event and threat not determined. Relax!
Watch. Distant tsunami is possible. Stay tuned for information. Be prepared to act.
Advisory. Strong currents and waves dangerous to those in/very near water possible. Stay out of water, away from beaches and waterways.
Warning. Dangerous coastal flooding and powerful currents possible. Move to high ground or inland.
Storms & Wind
The North Oregon Coast is no stranger to winter windstorms. High winds can reach over 100 miles per hour at the headlands, often causing power outages. Fallen trees can close the major highways that connect the coast to inland resources or connect coastal communities with one another. Landlines and cell phone service can be interrupted. The resulting isolation means residents must be self-reliant for a period of time until power and other services are restored. This process can take longer in our rural area than in urban environments. Unlike other types of disasters, we usually have a few days of warning that a powerful storm may be on its way.
Floods
The town of Nehalem is susceptible to serious flooding. Manzanita beach can become dangerous as outsized debris is tossed ashore from high waves. Highway 101 is susceptible to flooding, washouts, falling trees and downed power lines. The Nehalem Bay area can become isolated from larger cities to the north and south. Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low-lying area. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry stream beds or low-lying ground that appears harmless in dry weather can flood.
Know the Terms:
Flood Watch. Flooding is possible.
Flash Flood Watch. Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground.
Flood Warning. Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Flash Flood Warning. A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.
Power Outages
We experience power outages in the Nehalem Bay Region every year – sometimes short, sometimes lasting for several days. Loss of power can occur due to rolling blackouts, extreme weather conditions, or in connection with other disasters. As always, the best way to manage a power outage is to plan ahead. Have a supply of battery or hand-cranked light sources and a supply of shelf-stable ready to eat foods. Consider a generator and a battery-operated or hand-crank NOAA radio.
If there is no power in your neighborhood:
Turn off and unplug appliances and computers. Leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
To conserve existing heat within the home, concentrate your activities in one or two adjacent rooms. Keep these areas isolated by closing doors.
Avoid using a gas or propane stove for heating, or operating generators indoors, including the garage. This could cause carbon monoxide (a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas) poisoning.
If you use kerosene or propane space heaters, be sure to provide for lots of space around them and fresh air ventilation.
Food in an unopened refrigerator will be safe to eat for about four hours following a power outage. Food in a closed freezer will be safe for about 24 hours without power.
If a traffic signal is not working, treat it as a stop sign.
Landslides & Mudflows
Landslides and mudslides are primarily earth movement, while a mudflow is caused by water picking up soil and turning it into mud. Landslides may be small or large, slow or rapid. They are activated by storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fires and human modification of land. Mudflows are rivers of rock, earth and other debris saturated with water. They develop when water rapidly accumulates in the ground, during heavy rainfall or rapid snow-melt, changing the earth into a flowing river of mud or “slurry.” They can flow rapidly, striking with little or no warning at avalanche speeds. They can also travel several miles from their source, growing in size as they pick up trees, boulders, cars and other materials. We have many areas in the Nehalem Bay Region that are especially susceptible to slides and flows. Use caution, especially during and after heavy storms.
Fires & Wildfires
Fires and wildfires are a serious threat in our rural Nehalem Bay Region. How can you be ready?
Identify all exits from your home. Practice evacuation with your family.
Prepare your GoBag so you can respond when a fire occurs.
Install fire and smoke detectors in all bedrooms and near each potential ignition source (kitchen stove, furnace area) and test them regularly.
Keep the area immediately around your house clear of combustible materials.
Develop a fire safety plan for your home.
Learn how to prepare for and stay safe during a wildfire.
Learn about beach fire safety! Never build a fire near the brush line (stay 10 feet away), never leave a fire unattended, and never bury a fire.
Beach Safety
While incredibly beautiful, our beaches hold several potentially life-threatening hazards. High tides regularly restrict some access to higher ground from the beach, which can trap people who enter the beach during lower tides. King Tides and sneaker waves can cause waves to quickly surge far up onto beaches, carrying logs as they come, which can crush anyone trapped on the beach. These sneaker waves, or rip currents, can also quickly dislodge logs on the beach; it is very dangerous to stand on logs for this reason! In addition the strength and sheer size of the waves has swept people out to sea in a moment. Never turn your back on the ocean. Learn how to identify and protect yourself.
The danger from wildfires isn’t limited to Oregon’s forests. Every year there are incidences of beach fires spreading from the beach into the grassy dunes and then into the pine scrub above them. The winds off the ocean can fan these flames up into the homes and businesses above. It is essential to follow safe beach fire practices:
Check online for seasonal fire restrictions.
Only have beach fires below the high tide mark on the beach, never near the grassy dunes.
Always control the fire, and douse with plenty of water prior to leaving. Pour water around the base of the fire pit, not directly on hot coals.
Do not cover beach fires with sand as this has potential to harm people or wildlife who step onto hot coals, and allows possible flare ups to occur later.