OMG! You live in Oregon?!
Oregonian resilience — it’s something in the water
Oregon has received significant national and international attention lately regarding the Cascadia Subduction Zone — a large fault off the Pacific Coast which promises to unleash a devastating earthquake and tsunami though estimates about when it will occur vary. Increasingly associated with quirkiness, innovation, and hipster, the mostly rural state boasts a number of personality traits that will arguably render more resilient folk in the face of the inevitable Cascadia peril — or even during the next severe winter storm. So, here’s what WeSee taking place in the great Beaver State.
Coffee, Beer, Weed & Wine. Whatever soothes you in a stressful environment, Oregon residents enjoy world-renowned versions of each. Disaster kits in this state are as likely to boast a local IPA, french press, Pinot or kind sativa as they are the standard issue. Don’t forget the other essentials provided by the FEMA supply list.
Cycle Oregon. It is well understood that a fuel crisis will follow the CSZ as regional fuel stores are compromised and transportation routes are rendered impassable. (Fact: Oregonians aren’t allowed to pump their own gas.) The fuel conversation leads to another Oregon-centric aspect: Bicyclists. They’re everywhere, especially in the urban areas, those with bikes will have more options, and those in Oregon have more bikes. No matter where you live in the Pacific Northwest, bikes will be the vehicle of choice after the Big One.
Treehuggers and Loggers. When you live in a state abundant with lush forests, you have both. This aspect of Oregon speaks to two critical areas of resilience. Those who embrace living in harmony with the earth (as some residents will find themselves immediately following a tsunami but before evacuating the impacted area) and those who are able to clear the roads in a moment’s notice. In a state where the 60’s subculture is still alive and well at renowned events like the Oregon Country Fair, and chainsaws are as common as the 4-wheel drive vehicles they ride around in, these demographic representatives showcase what makes Oregon Oregon — diversity.
Do It Yourself. To be an Oregonian is to have a DIY hobby — tiny houses, canning, organic gardens, beekeeping, growing marijuana, brewing beer, raising chickens in your urban neighborhood — when the economic infrastructure of Oregon is disabled by a catastrophic event, many residents will have resources in hand as well as a ready made barter system in place. What will you trade?
Pendleton Wool. While it certainly isn’t exclusive to Oregonians, in fact the outdoor apparel giant Columbia Sportswear also calls Oregon home, this classic (and trendy) solution to keeping warm even when you can’t stay dry started and remains in the rainy state.
Singing in the Rain. It isn’t that Oregonians necessarily sing in the rain, it is that they do everything in the rain. There isn’t much choice in the matter if you want to conduct your life in Oregon outside the interior comfort of your residence. In Oregon, umbrellas are for amateurs who don’t stop to consider to oft accompanying wind. Oregonians get a lot of rain and do everything in it, good training ground for existing in austere conditions after a disaster, even if it’s raining.
Food Carts. If you think food carts are just for snow-cones and carnivals,think again. These pint-sized restaurateurs are putting out some of tastiest culinary fare around, and the trend has resulted in full on food cart pods throughout Portland and other smaller cities. What more could a disaster-pending region ask for than a plethora of mobile eateries?
Informed. Oregonians aren’t ignoring the fact that the big one is coming. The greatest threat is undoubtedly the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami. Residents are getting ready and the State has another one-of-a-kind (Oregon) thing in its pocket: The Cascadia Playbook — an innovative planning tool developed by State leaders to address expected impacts of the earthquake/tsunami in the most expedient manner possible. In just a few weeks, Oregon will test out its nifty plan during Cascadia Rising, the biggest regional exercise in the nation’s history. That makes sense since experts predict the Cascadia event will be the largest disaster in our nation’s recorded history.
While there will be no shortage of headlines to remind the world about the hazards of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, Oregon is preparing forces with a galvanized response plan and a resilient population. Ready for anything. Peace.
