GuidesEnvironmental and housing risk8 min read

Pacific Northwest earthquake preparedness

The Cascadia Subduction Zone can produce a long, wide-area quake, so local agencies ask households to plan for two weeks on their own rather than three days.

Plan for two weeks, not 72 hours

Bridges, water mains, and highways may be out for far longer than a typical disaster.

One gallon of water per person per day for 14 days, plus a filter and purification tablets
Two weeks of shelf-stable food and a way to cook without gas or power
Two weeks of prescriptions where your pharmacy allows it
Sanitation supplies: heavy bags, wipes, and a bucket toilet in case sewer service fails

Secure the house and the utilities

Most injuries come from falling contents, and most post-quake fires come from gas lines.

Strap the water heater and know it holds usable drinking water
Anchor bookcases, dressers, and the television to studs
Add latches to upper cabinets and move heavy items low
Keep a wrench by the gas meter and only shut it off if you smell or hear gas
Consider a foundation bolting and cripple wall retrofit for pre-1980 homes

Know your tsunami zone if you are on the coast

On the outer coast, shaking is the warning and you may have 15 to 30 minutes.

Look up your inundation zone and the marked evacuation route
Plan to move on foot to high ground, since roads may be blocked
Practice the walk with children and anyone who moves slowly
Keep shoes and a go bag by the door in coastal homes

Handle coverage and reconnection

Earthquake damage is excluded from standard homeowners and renters policies in Washington and Oregon.

Get an earthquake endorsement or standalone policy and read the percentage deductible
Renters can buy earthquake coverage for contents and loss of use
Pick an out-of-area contact, since local calls may fail while long distance texts work
Store documents and a home inventory in the cloud

Common questions

How long should Pacific Northwest households prepare to be self-sufficient?

Emergency managers in Washington and Oregon recommend two weeks of water, food, medication, and sanitation supplies because a Cascadia quake could damage roads, water, and power over a very wide area.

Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes in Washington or Oregon?

No. Earthquake damage is excluded and requires a separate endorsement or policy, usually with a deductible set as a percentage of the dwelling limit.

What should I do first during a Cascadia earthquake?

Drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops. If you are in a coastal tsunami zone, move to high ground on foot as soon as it is safe to walk, without waiting for an official alert.

See where your household stands

The Household Resilience Check scores this dimension along with seven others in about five minutes.

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