Shake, Rattle and… Roll On (Drop, Cover and Hold On – Then Evacuate)What To Do After the Shaking Stops!

By Deborah Maynard, Lt Col, CAP USAF and TC4 Member

Article #4 in the Great Shake Out Series sponsored by Tillamook County Citizen Corps Council - TC4

You’ve dropped, covered, and held on. You’ve survived the initial earthquake! The shaking has stopped (for the time being) and now what?

GET TO HIGH GROUND!

Evacuate out of the Inundation Zone, and then on to your Assembly Area, (or Neighborhood Gathering Site if established)! Even if an earthquake does not initiate an immediate tsunami, it may still happen. After shocks are common as the earth settles following the disruption and may go on for a long period of time.

The terrain may have changed. Your own structures are likely to be unstable. Safety is the seek high ground. Grab your Go Bag and get to high ground as fast and safely as you can.

What to watch out for problems as you roll on…The primary hazards after an earthquake include aftershocks, fires, gas leaks, downed power lines, surface ruptures, liquefaction and structural collapse. Be vigilant. Move with purpose but watch for problems and issues you do not have to deal with in your every day life. You may need to take an alternate route! How do I know where to go…

Good question and easy to answer. Simply go to: https://nvs.nanoos.org/TsunamiEvac and put in your address. This website will generate a specific map of your location and evacuation routes for your community to get out of the inundation zone. Then proceed to your designated Assembly Area. An Emergency Assembly Area is a planned, safe gathering point where evacuees meet, are accounted for, and wait for official instructions, ensuring organized, safe, and efficient emergency response. Find out from your local community where your designated Assembly Areas are. The best answer, though, is to know your community and travel the evacuation route yourself before you need it! That’s called preparation and practice.

An opportunity to practice…

Thursday, October 15 th at 10:15 am, the entire state will participate in the annual earthquake and tsunami exercise called The Great Shakeout. You’ve probably seen the signs around town, heard the reports on KTIL or read the previous articles in the news.

PLAN – PREPARE – PRACTICE!

This is your opportunity to practice. Get together with your own community members and try out your plan. Are you prepared? Do you know where to go? Can you get to an assembly area on your own or will you need help? Can you actually carry that Go Bag you so carefully packed? Do you know where to meet up with family members? If you can’t meet up with your family members, do you have a plan to contact them?

There will be representatives at the posted community Assembly Areas to welcome you to the survival team after 10:15 am. It’s a great time to meet your neighbors and test out your own preparedness. Are you ready? Will you survive? Don’t miss this opportunity to test yourself and see. Find your Assembly Area and join the Great Shakeout Exercise on October 15th at 10:15 am!

Contact your local community Emergency Preparedness coordinator, or Velda Handler, RN at Velda.Handler@EVCNB.org or Randy Thorpe at Randy.Thorpe@tillamookcounty.gov if you have any questions regarding the Great Shakeout Exercise to be held on 10/15/2026 @ 10:15 am. Resource Sheet with Great Shakeout Links and Information:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OCOP5JhwJbT48uwyG4--Ec_X1nGi0Oxs/view?usp=sharing

Key Points:

Cut this out and put it on your refrigerator as a reminder!

Earthquake & Tsunami Information: Who, What, Where, When, Why & How

Who: Everyone may need to evacuate to a safe place; above and below the inundation zone.

What: Evacuate due to earthquake ground movement causing unsafe structures, power outages, ruptured water and sanitation pipes, fires, and potential water inundation from high waves.

Where: Predetermine your "safe location" out of the inundation zone, and/or outside of your home structure. Then move toward your designated assembly area. These are designated by your local area; find out where that is! Where are your emergency supplies stored?

When: Evacuate immediately after the shaking stops. Do not return until authorities confirm it is safe.

Why: Evacuate to ensure safety and access to a designated safe place. Your Go Bag may be all you have; Include the essentials - Shelter, water, food, medications, light source and communication. 

How: Evacuate on foot, as roads will likely be impassable due to road damage, or obstructions such as trees, power lines, debris and/or gridlock. Aim to reach safe or high ground within 10-15 minutes after the shaking stops!

Roll on Tillamook County… and Prepare – Practice and Plan to survive!