Preparing for 'the big one': What to know about earthquakes in Washington state

With Washington State ranking #2 in earthquake proneness, KOMO Meteorologist George Waldenberger breaks down science why Washington is vulnerable to seismic activity.

Waldenberger also spoke to Washington State seismologist Harold J. Tobin about when the state can experience "The Big One" and what to expect it hits.

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[Tf]

I feel like we need more info on earthquake preparation and safety!

[kevinwees]

I still remember the Niqualy earth quake back in 2001.

[bekkigryffindor]

I have a emergency kit but no plan for a earthquake

[DLCoates]

Why tell people to stay inside when more than 70% of our infrastructure is not built to withstand earthquakes?

“Oh but falling debris!”
You have a higher chance of your home collapsing with you inside…

[healthnatics]

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREPARE FOR THIS EARTHQUAKE PLSS

[Mark-zoys]

Any day, week, month, year, decade, or century. The key is prepare and have a plan.

[just_kos]

How about the "slow-motion" quakes, you know, "ETS", "episodic tremor and slip" quakes?

[leeselset]

The only reason Alaska isn't higher on the danger list is because they already had a Great Earthquake recently (in geological terms at least). If the entire Cascadia megathrust fault ruptures, you should expect an earthquake of similar magnitude to that - 8.9 to 9.2. While the 7.5 to 8.3 magnitude expected of the San Andreas fault is still huge and extremely dangerous, a full margin rupture of a megathrust fault is something else entirely. If that were to happen soon it would be a disaster potentially of a similar severity to the Haiti earthquake some 15ish years ago.

While the PNW is more prepared for an earthquake than Haiti was, we are not nearly as prepared as Japan was. So whereas Japan had hardly any buildings collapse in their 9.0, we would have many, but not AS many as Haiti, despite the massive gulf between severities. But the thing that caused the most harm in Japan, the tsunami, we would also have to deal with, and that's where the majority of our harm will be.

[jerrykwarner]

I do have a degree in Forestry and Geology from Green River Community College, graduated 1978. Everything he is talking about is the truth.
To the 45 year old woman, it's time for you to GROW THE FRICK UP! You don't know what you are talking about. Pick up a book and learn something. I stood on Rocky Butte in Portland, OR, and watched Mt. Saint Helen's eruption.

[christopherwanamaker]

FEMA and the American Red Cross conducted a 5 year joint survey on Americans and preparedness and there results came out in August 2015, stating two major statistics that at the time over 60%, now 55%, of Americans do not prepare for natural disasters in any significant shape or form even though over 80%, now 95%, of American counties get hit by one or more than one natural disaster per year. The second major statistic was for every $1 spent on preparedness planning, products, or both you will save somewhere between $4-$16 in damages and recovery fees, compared to someone who doesn't prepare at all. To include those who prepare, compared to those who do not, will recover 4-5 times faster. Now those statics where all before the pandemic, so now if you include inflation its more like for every $1 spent in preparedness planning, products, or both you will save yourself somewhere between $8-$32 or more in damages and recovery fees. During Hurricane Harvey in southern Texas a husband and father took a chance in preparedness by purchasing an Aqua Dam for $8300 and all his friends, family members, and neighbors made fun of him until after the disaster had passed and they discovered his was the only home not majorly damaged by Hurricane Harvey. The husband stated he spent $8300 on the product and it saved him over $150K in damages and recovery fees, that's a 95% savings rate. It always pays to be prepared. The more prepared you are the better off you will be in the long run, as long as you survive the initial disaster. Another preparedness product to look into would be Dam Easy Door Barriers. This is a prime example of why more people need to get more prepared and think about "Emergency Preparedness Management" for both your home and vehicles. I am a YouTuber under my Full-Name with the same profile picture as this post with 47 videos covering 27 different category topic subjects sharing my personal knowledge and experiences with others to help others improve their overall adult lives. I've got videos on building yourself a high quality 24-72 Hour Survival Bug Out Bags, Home and Vehicle Preparedness and Readiness advice videos, several Financial Literacy advice videos, a dozen Cooking Creation Recipes videos, and more!

[kmanwin]

Just prepare for no electricity and water and build up from there.

[stephaniecannon]

It's going to come to pass. We shall see it happen. In a Division sign.

[mikehocking]

I prepared after i ate at Taco Bell for the earthquake WEW😂

[lovewillwinnn]

In the next 50 years starting from when?

[shannondacorsi]

I'm 45 and I've been hearing about "the big earthquake" all my life as I grew up in California! You all know what big earthquake you are talking about. This has nothing to do with what you are talking about. This big earthquake is the earthquake that is in Revelation. This is what scientists are talking about!

Revelation 11:13 : "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven".

If you delete my comment, I will file a lawsuit!

[auntyfluffy]

I'm 54 and know there's delusion on this thread.

[shannondacorsi]

I'm 45 and I've been hearing about "the big earthquake" all my life as I grew up in California! You all know what big earthquake you are talking about. This has nothing to do with what you are talking about. This big earthquake is the earthquake that is in Revelation. This is what scientists are talking about!

Revelation 11:13 : "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven".

If you delete my comment, I will file a lawsuit!

[shannondacorsi]

I'm 45 and I've been hearing about "the big earthquake" all my life as I grew up in California! You all know what big earthquake you are talking about. This has nothing to do with what you are talking about. This big earthquake is the earthquake that is in Revelation. This is what scientists are talking about!

Revelation 11:13 : "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven".

If you delete my comment, I will file a lawsuit!

[shannondacorsi]

I'm 45 and I've been hearing about "the big earthquake" all my life as I grew up in California! You all know what big earthquake you are talking about. This has nothing to do with what you are talking about. This big earthquake is the earthquake that is in Revelation. This is what scientists are talking about!

Revelation 11:13 : "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven".

If you delete my comment, I will file a lawsuit!