Lake Oswego Preps for Disaster

There's not a lot of argument that it is inevitable that our area has an earthquake in our future. And not just a small shake - a 9.0 major earthquake.

On Thursday, PrepLO - a group formed in 2014 to "promote self-sufficiency and resiliency with a focus on emergency preparedness" - will host a meeting updating citizens on improvements made to the infrastructure in Lake Oswego.

"Jen Castle and Rick Ellers from PrepLO will be presenting for 45 min on LO infrastructure updates, how to prepare your home and how to get involved with your neighborhood and its preparation," the group says online. "We will have tables of example preparation items and Q&A for the time remaining.

"The school bond is not a part of this scope but we would be happy to answer questions about the school infrastructure and its expectations in a major earthquake."

• In a recent report, the state estimated that the impact of a major earthquake could be devastating with impacts including:
• Earthquake deaths ranging from 650 to 5,000, with another 600 to 5,000 deaths due to the tsunami.
• 24,000 buildings completely destroyed, and another 85,000 with extensive damage requiring months to years of repair.
• Approximately $32 billion in economic losses.
• 27,600 displaced households.
• Almost 10 million tons of debris (1 million dump truck loads).

The meeting will be held from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Lake Oswego High School.

A second meeting will be held the following Wednesday at Lakeridge High School.