Emergency Preparedness in Skyline Ward

Thank you for your participation in our 5^th Sunday combined Priesthood and Relief Society meeting regarding Emergency preparedness.  In response to that meeting, I’ll be sending out information on a regular basis regarding self-reliance to help train and share information to strengthen our independence. 

Here is the information regarding the hazards in and around the skyline ward boundaries that were discussed in that meeting.   Please take the time to review hazards that may exist in and around your home.

Self-Reliance:  https://providentliving.org/self-reliance?lang=eng

“Preparing for the ups and downs of life.” – Robert D. Hales

Environmental Emergencies likely in the Skyline Ward

Ø Events where families will likely 'Ride out' the impact

Disaster	Utilities/supplies effected	Risk / Impact
Earthquake	Communication Electricity Food Isolation Natural Gas Shelter Transportation Water	- There are many risk locations for earthquakes.    #1 is the Cascaded Subduction Zone earthquake with a possible risk of 9.0 magnitude with the real feel in our area of ~7.0 and a duration of 4 minutes.  Risk is 14% of a magnitude > 9.0 and 37% of a magnitude >8.0 in the next 50 years.  Wooden homes should endure the quake ok, but brick work, roads and bridges will be impacted.  The West Union building has been seismically upgraded, so it should hold up ok.  Major damage would be primarily on the coast due to the accompanied major tsunami (up to 90 feet) and significant damage would still occur to older and weaker buildings in the Willamette valley and all bridges across the major rivers.  Transportation would be very limited due to I-5, Hwy 217 and Hwy 26 damage. Landslides likely in our ward boundaries, especially if the ground is wet.  Expect days to weeks for emergency food, water and medical help to arrive.  Expect weeks to months for utilities to be restored.  Expect months to years before normal transportation to carry on.  Aftershocks will continue for months to years.   #2 is the Oakfield fault that runs through the West hills within the Skyline Ward boundaries.  Possible risk up to 7.0 magnitude causing significant damage to all aspects of life in our area.  With the fault being in our boundaries, shifts in land will cause major devastation to those on/around the fault line.    #3 is the Portland Hills Fault.  This runs on the Portland side of the West Hills with a possible risk up to a 7.0 magnitude quake.   #4 There are numerous other fault lines within 50 miles of the Skyline Ward.
Heavy Rains / Flooding / Landslides	Shelter Transportation Landslides effect: Communication, Electricity, Natural gas	- Several high risk areas (Forest Heights area, Miller road, Skyline rd) for landslides which may damage homes or block roads. (see the attached Slope Hazard map).  - Low-lying areas (Kaiser rd north of Thompson Rd, Bethany/West Union, Cornell between 113th and 119th) may be affected by flooding which can limit transportation (See the attached Flood Map).  Water damage possible in homes with basements or near wetlands.
High Wind	Communication Electricity Transportation	- High winds likely in the hills of the Skyline Ward (Damage can occur especially when combined with ice or soaked ground) can bring down trees, knocking down power lines, telephone poles, and blocking roads. It is also possible that some individual homes may be damaged.
Severe Winter weather: (Ice storms with wind, snow)	Communication Electricity Isolation	- Icy roads may trap individuals that live on steep roads/driveways.  - Trees may lose branches and knock down power lines and phone poles. - Frozen pipes in houses
Plague/ Flu pandemic	Isolation	- Long periods of quarantine may stress food reserves. - Medical assistance may be needed by many
Forest Park Fire	Shelter	- Localized transportation routes limited - Smoke/ash or air quality concerns - Evacuation of neighborhoods - Loss of homes - Smoke inhalation risk
Flash Flooding (water tank Failure)	Shelter Transportation	- Skyline Ward has several water tanks within its boundaries as well as major water pipes connecting them.  This puts houses and roads, located below them, at high risk in the event of failure or earthquake. (see hazard maps) Tanks include: - Thompson road, just downhill from Hibbard rd (affected area: Bower Creek Estates) - Under Bonny Slope park field off Thompson rd (affected area: homes downhill, south road) - Langworthy Terr (affected area: possible wash out of Thompson Rd and draining into Mill pond) - Uphill of 'Wismer Ridge' and 'Arbor View' neighborhoods. - The NW corner of Cornell rd and Miller Rd
Volcano (Lars, ash, flash flood)	Electricity (low risk) Isolation Water	- An eruption on Mt. Hood or Mt. St. Helens could impact the operability of hydro-electric power.  The Bull-Run reservoir may be useless and high levels of ash will contaminate the open reservoirs in the Portland area. - An eruption on other peaks will mostly cause potential problems with ash. - Air quality effecting those with breathing issues - Ash clean up
Industrial accidents	Natural Gas Shelter Transportation	- The Skyline ward boundaries include a high volume liquid fuel linewhich runs north through 153rd, under 'Oak meadow estates' to between 'Finley Meadows' and 'Oakridge' neighborhoods then past the south-east corner of 'Arbor Heights' before heading over the hills to Portland. - The Skyline ward boundaries also include a high volume natural gas line running through its northern border.  It branches and has a main line that runs along the power lines between 'Bethany Terrace' and 'Bethany View Estates' and also between 'Arbor Estates' and 'OakRidge' neighborhoods before turning east along Springville rd.

Man-made emergencies

Ø Events likely to cause evacuations

In addition to natural disasters, man-made conditions may create emergency situations.  The first set of disasters are cases where people will generally help one another.  These include:

• Act of War: Conventional, biological, chemical, nuclear or terrorism
• Industrial accidents: Toxic spills, toxic emissions, explosions, Trojan power plant stored nuclear waste 

Responses to these events may vary, but will likely include evacuations.  In the event of evacuations: Communication channels should be utilized to ensure all members have been contacted and have means for transportation.

Ø Events likely to cause 'like minded' people to gather for protection

            The second set of disasters can be classified as ‘Civil Emergencies’ and are cases where the general population may fight amongst themselves for self preservation, general disorder, or anger/fear.  These include:

• Shortages in supplies (food, water, gasoline) 
• Civil riots
• Looting (common after natural disasters)
• Economic collapse (complete devalue/loss of the dollar, stock market crash, severe depression)
• Governmental collapse

Responses to these events will also vary, but may include gathering individuals out of areas of risk.  In the event of gathering together for protection: communication channels should be utilized to ensure all members have been contacted and notified of a designated gathering point.

The following are unlikely events to impact the Skyline Ward directly but which we may be called upon to assist:

tsunami/tidal wave, dam failure, hail, famine, tornado, volcanic eruption on Mt Rainer or Sisters.