Baird also contacted scientists to assess threats of increased volcanic activity at Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier and any possible damage at the Hanford nuclear site in central Washington. It will take years to repay the costs of the Nisqually quake. Just as with 1993 s magnitude-5.6 quake in Scotts Mills, Ore., where the Oregon state capitol suffered millions of dollars of damage, the Olympia capitol will require tens of millions of dollars of repairs that will be passed along to the taxpayers. Feinstein states There is no question that mitigation efforts save dollars and lives in the long run. Earthquakes impact all segments of the communities they strike, individuals, businesses and public services such as police, fire, hospitals and schools.
Damage often creates economic ripples through the community and beyond state borders.
Blumenauer knows that many buildings in Portland, such as the Pioneer Square Federal Courthouse, are at risk to earthquake damage. In Oregon, new state policies focus on first determining the risk to state-owned facilities, including universities, prisons, hospitals and office buildings. His last bill deals with personal safety drills at large businesses and government departments. Although the Pacific Northwest is not as earthquake-prone as parts of California, future shaking is certain. From our recent investigation, the Oregon team found that preparation pays off.