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(Salem, OR) - The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) are reminding Oregonians and visitors of the importance of earthquake and tsunami preparedness following today’s events. 

At 10:44 a.m., a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred offshore 56 miles east of Petrolia, California. The National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska issued a tsunami warning at 10:49 a.m. The tsunami warning extended north to the Douglas/Lane County border in Oregon and south to Davenport, California. The warning was canceled at 11:54 a.m., and no tsunami waves were observed along the Oregon coast. 

The earthquake occurred in the Mendocino Triple Junction, which is a seismically active region where three tectonic plate boundaries intersect. The fault system where the earthquake originated is in the Mendocino Fracture Zone, which is the boundary between the Pacific and Juan de Fuca oceanic plates. More information about the earthquake and regional tectonic setting can be found at the USGS event page.

Earlier today, state parks closed beach access points and evacuation notices were issued for portions of the Oregon Coast due to the tsunami warning. With the cancellation of the warning, beach access points are set to reopen at 3:00 p.m. Although the immediate threat has passed, today’s events underscore the importance of being prepared for future emergencies. Taking steps now to ensure readiness can make all the difference during natural disasters. 

What You Can Do to Stay Safe and Prepared: 

• Know your evacuation routes: Whether you’re at home, work, or visiting the coast, familiarize yourself with local tsunami evacuation routes. Maps are often posted in coastal areas or can be found online using the DOGAMI/NANOOS Tsunami Evacuation Zones portal. 
• Sign up for emergency alerts: Stay informed by subscribing to alerts at ORalert.gov for emergency notifications tied to your zip code—including earthquake and tsunami alerts. And turn on the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone, so you will receive alerts based on where your phone is located (important if you are visiting the coast). 
• Create a go kit: Prepare a portable emergency kit with essentials such as food, water, medications, and personal documents. 
• Review your emergency plan: Ensure everyone in your household knows what to do during an earthquake or tsunami, including where to meet and how to communicate if separated. You can learn more about emergency planning with the free Be2WeeksReady Toolkit. 

For Travelers: 

• Check Travel Conditions: If traveling, visit www.tripcheck.com for real-time road conditions in Oregon. 
• Neighboring States: If your travel extends to California or Washington, check their Department of Transportation websites for updates: Travel | Caltrans, Travel Center Map | WSDOT. 

DOGAMI encourages coastal residents and visitors to use this event as a reminder to stay informed about tsunami hazards and to practice evacuation drills regularly. DOGAMI provides additional information about tsunami preparedness at the Oregon Tsunami Clearinghouse. OPRD recommends exploring Oregon’s beautiful coast safely by always being prepared for emergencies. 

For more information about earthquake and tsunami preparedness, visit Tsunami Safety. 

Salem, Ore. – As winter storms and extreme weather events impact communities, Oregon residents are reminded to be prepared for potential power outages. Heavy snow, ice, and high winds can damage power lines and disrupt electricity, sometimes leading to extended outages. Weather conditions in specific geographies may also cause electric utilities to adjust system settings, which can result in more frequent or longer outages. 

Be Prepared in Advance 

Prepare your home and business in case a winter storm leads to a power outage: 

• Be two weeks ready – Gather food, medical supplies, batteries, pet supplies, and other essentials needed by family members during an outage or evacuation for up to two weeks. Learn more about what supplies to consider. 
• Register for a Medical Certificate – If you have a medical condition that requires power, contact your electricity service provider in advance to register a Medical Certificate. This certification provides added benefits and helps ensure your needs are met during an outage. 
• Update your contact information – Ensure your utility service provider has your current contact information to receive notifications. If uncertain about which electric utility serves your area, visit Find Your Utility. 
• Charge your devices – Keep cell phones fully charged in anticipation of an outage. Consider a car charger for phones and other electronic devices. 
• Plan for livestock and well water needs – Ensure you have a plan for providing water to livestock in case well pumps lose power. 
• Consider alternative power sources – If possible, invest in a backup generator or identify an alternative location to meet power needs. 
• Documentation back-up – Capture clear images of vital papers and send them to your email, organizing them in a dedicated folder for quick access during emergencies (passports, drivers license, car title, rental agreements, insurance policies, property titles, wills or power of attorney documents). 

During a Power Outage 

• Avoid downed power lines – Stay away from downed lines and anything near them. Report them to your utility provider immediately. 
• Be cautious around crews – Give space to utility workers and emergency responders as they work to restore service and clear hazards. 
• Use emergency lighting – Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns for light. Avoid candles or other open flames. 
• Reduce power surges – Turn off lights and unplug electric appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer. Leave one light on to know when power is restored. 
• Use generators safely – Never operate a generator inside your home or garage, or near windows or vents, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Learn more about safe generator use. 
• Check on vulnerable neighbors – Offer assistance to elderly neighbors or individuals with special needs who may require additional help. 
• Report outages – Call your electricity service provider to report an outage. Report non-emergency issues to your utility provider – Contact your electricity or utility company directly for outage reports or other non-urgent concerns to help keep 911 lines open for those in critical need. 
• Call 911 only for true emergencies – During major events like power outages or severe weather, 911 call centers (PSAPs) may experience high call volumes, which can delay emergency response times. 
• Invest in an emergency radio with AM/FM/SW and NOAA capabilities- Weather radios are available for under $40. Many models feature solar panels, hand-crank or battery backup, and double as flashlights and power banks for your cell phone. 

Natural Gas Tips 

• If you need to evacuate, there’s no need to shut off natural gas. 
• If natural gas appliances don’t work properly after electricity is restored, contact your gas service provider. 
• Do not turn on natural gas service yourself; always call your gas provider for assistance. 
• If you smell natural gas, evacuate immediately and call 911. 

Stay Informed 

• Sign up for alerts – Contact your electricity provider to ensure your contact information is current and sign up for local emergency alerts through ORalert.gov. 
• Check road conditions – Before traveling, visit Trip Check for road closures and weather updates. 

Winter storms can disrupt daily life, but with preparation and safety precautions, you can minimize their impact on your household and community. 

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The PUC regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural, and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc. 
 
It is the mission of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times of crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem. 

SALEM, OR – November 19, 2024 – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites all Oregonians to participate in shaping the future of emergency management across the state. On February 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., OEM is hosting its second annual town hall where community members and partners from all backgrounds can provide input and feedback on the agency’s 2023–2025 Strategic Plan and the OEM Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) plan.

The Strategic Plan serves as a blueprint for OEM’s commitment to delivering excellent customer service and building resilience within Oregon’s communities. The IDEA plan guides emergency management practices that address the needs of all communities, fostering equitable outcomes and inclusive resilience statewide.  Feedback from this town hall will help guide OEM’s efforts to improve emergency preparedness, response and recovery in ways that serve every community across the state—before, during and after a disaster.

The town hall is open to everyone, and no prior emergency management experience is required. Closed captioning will be available, and a video and audio transcript of the event will be accessible upon request after the event.

Event Details:

Event: Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s second annual strategic planning and IDEA town hall
Date: February 11, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting will be virtual; link will be sent as event nears.  

Your feedback is critical in helping OEM serve Oregon’s diverse communities better and to foster an inclusive approach to emergency preparedness and resilience. We look forward to hearing from you at this important event.

For more information or questions, please contact Bobbi McAllister at bobbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov.