Earthquake Precautions for the PNW

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I know one full blown "prepper" and it is interesting to see the mentality. Zero argument, having some preparation is a intelligent logical thing. It is so easy to go overboard and spend a fortune.

We for sure don't worry even a little about a tsunami. Mega earthquakes are pretty unlikely. We don't have to worry about a flood. We had 11 inches of rain in a day and all it did was flush out out gutters. Forest fires are not a worry with just a few trees around.
In the end, a tornado is all that I really figure can damage the house. We have a tornado shelter. Even the worst meanest 300+ MPH tornado that hit Moore, OK only damages a very small part of the city. Just a few blocks from total devastation is civilization and help.

I figure in a mega disaster bullets will be the real currency. Food and water or any resource will be hard to keep safe from the bad guys.

Interesting anecdotal topic, when I travel to the coasts I always get the "you guys get tornadoes" conversation. I always tell them that not only are you safe in a basement, but that even a massive tornado is about 1 mile wide. Pretty tough to hide from an earthquake or tsunami. And they certainly impact more than a 1 mile wide swath. So what I'm saying is, I'll take the tornadoes.

[tabs]

If that Sub-induction fault zone rips one you are going to need flood insurance...as the tsunami is going to be a whooper.

My guess is that it will most likely rip more or less directly to the west of Mt St Helens...

[carreradpt]

When I lived in CA I was always concerned with being in my car and on the road when the big one hit and not being able to get back home. No supplies in the car and stuck miles from home. Maybe at the beach or downtown LA.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by tabs

If that Sub-induction fault zone rips one you are going to need flood insurance...as the tsunami is going to be a whooper.

My guess is that it will most likely rip more or less directly to the west of Mt St Helens...

Not in Portland, 100 miles and a mountain range separates us from the ocean. Coastal Oregon towns, they're toast. Folks living somewhat inland by the Columbia River might worry. I assume there will be a hell of a surge up the river.

[jyl]

Here's info on the likely effect of a tsunami on inland areas by the Columbia River. Looks like, unless you're close to the river mouth or living right on the water within 20-30 miles of the mouth, flooding is not going to be a serious threat.

Study outlines impact of tsunami on the Columbia River | News and Research Communications | Oregon State University

[jyl]

Here's my issue with generators. They run continuously so your fuel isn't going to last months or weeks, more like days. A generator combined with a bank of batteries seems more sensible. Or rooftop solar with battery bank.

Anyway, the home backup generators I'm seeing online run from natural gas or LP, which won't be flowing after the Beeeg One.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by jyl

Here's my issue with generators. They run continuously so your fuel isn't going to last months or weeks, more like days. A generator combined with a bank of batteries seems more sensible. Or rooftop solar with battery bank.

Anyway, the home backup generators I'm seeing online run from natural gas or LP, which won't be flowing after the Beeeg One.

If long term electricity without any infrastructure is your biggest concern, you'd probably be better off with a gas or diesel generator. At least in that case you could keep some fuel on hand, and have a fighting chance of finding more or siphoning it from a vehicle. Or yes, making the large investment in either rooftop solar or a wind turbine in conjunction with a battery storage system.

[LWJ]

To clarify on the EQ insurance piece. Yes. There are a number of carriers offering this. It has dropped in cost (some) from a few years ago.

I think a generator makes a lot of sense for the time period when gas / diesel has been made available but your specific power isn't back. Less uncomfortable.

The real question I ask is how to get through the two-three weeks when there is nothing but wreckage.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

If long term electricity without any infrastructure is your biggest concern, you'd probably be better off with a gas or diesel generator. At least in that case you could keep some fuel on hand, and have a fighting chance of finding more or siphoning it from a vehicle. Or yes, making the large investment in either rooftop solar or a wind turbine in conjunction with a battery storage system.

What we have found is that water is the essential comfort element in long term power outages. We are on well water so it is easy for us to run the generator sparingly to flush and refill toilets, baths, water for cooking, cleaning, etc. I could easily go two years with the amount of fuel I store and have in tractors, etc.

Figure five minutes a day to re-water.

The trailer option is interesting to me for outfitting with solar, deep cycle batteries, etc. for long term communications, lights, etc. as well as mobility away from the inevitable storms.

[cstreit]

We keep 250 gallons of dehydrated water on hand at all times.

[Wetwork]

Originally Posted by jyl

Here's my issue with generators. They run continuously so your fuel isn't going to last months or weeks, more like days. A generator combined with a bank of batteries seems more sensible. Or rooftop solar with battery bank.

Anyway, the home backup generators I'm seeing online run from natural gas or LP, which won't be flowing after the Beeeg One.

You would only run the gennie for a few hours a day if that. Cool down the freezer, run a few lights a few hours after it gets dark ect. You really get up and go to sleep with the sun. Step back for a second, and think about our forefathers before electricity. House is cold...wear more clothes. Cold outside...put your food out there. You need to think essential bare needs. Our ranch didn't get electricity until the late 50's.-WW

[Bill Douglas]

Those generators are a pain to start. All that stale fuel sitting in the tank just waiting for a disaster to come along. I think I'll buy a generator that you just plug into the wall, an electric one I mean.