Potential Disasters in Netarts and Surrounding Areas

The Oregon Coast is prone to earthquakes and thus to the threat of tsunamis as well. The worst case would be a major rupture on the Cascadia Subduction Zone just offshore. The violent shaking would be felt all along the coast and be followed in a matter of minutes by a tsunami, which would cause major damage. Earthquakes in remote locations – Alaska, South America, Asia, or other places around the Pacific Ocean – are of minor concern.

The rule for earthquakes on the coast is: If you feel the quake, move to high ground immediately. If you don’t feel the quake, just stay off the beach or out of low-lying coastal areas.

The North Oregon Coast is no stranger to winter windstorms. High winds can reach over 100 miles per hour at the headlands, often causing power outages. Fallen trees can close the major highways that connect the coast to inland resources or connect coastal communities with one another. Landlines and cell phone service can be disrupted. 

The resulting isolation means residents must be self-reliant until power and other services are restored. This process can take longer in our rural area than in urban environments. Unlike other types of disasters, we usually have a few days of warning that a powerful storm may be on its way.

Landslides are primarily earth movement, while mudflow is caused by water picking up soil and turning it into mud. Landslides may be small or large, slow or rapid. They are activated by storms, earthquakes, fires and human modification of land, including clearcutting. 

Mudflows are rivers of rock, earth and other debris saturated with water. They develop when water rapidly accumulates in the ground, during heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt, changing the earth into a flowing river of mud or “slurry.” They can flow rapidly, striking with little or no warning at avalanche speeds. We have areas in Netarts that are susceptible to slides and flows. Use caution, especially during and after heavy storms.

Every year, Netarts experiences power outages – sometimes short, sometimes lasting for several days. Loss of power can occur due to rolling blackouts, extreme weather conditions, or in connection with other disasters. As always, the best way to manage a power outage is to plan in advance. Have a supply of battery or hand-cranked light sources, and a supply of shelf-stable ready to eat foods. Consider a generator and a battery-operated or hand-crank NOAA radio. 

If there is no power in your neighborhood:

Turn off and unplug appliances and computers. Leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored. To conserve existing heat within the home, concentrate your activities in one or two adjacent rooms. Keep these areas isolated by closing doors.

Avoid using a gas or propane stove for heating, or operating generators indoors, including the garage. This could cause carbon monoxide (a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas) poisoning. If you use kerosene or propane space heaters, be sure to there is lots of space around them and fresh air ventilation. 

Food in an unopened refrigerator will be safe to eat for about four hours following a power outage. Food in a closed freezer will be safe for about 24 hours without power. 

Fires and wildfires are a serious threat in our rural area. How can you be ready? 

• Identify all exits from your home. Practice evacuation with your family.
• Prepare your GoBag so you can respond when a fire occurs.
• Install fire and smoke detectors in all bedrooms and near each potential ignition source (kitchen stove, furnace area) and test them regularly.
• Keep the area immediately around your house clear of combustible materials.
• Develop a fire safety plan for your home.
• Learn how to prepare for and stay safe during a wildfire.
• Learn about beach fire safety! Never build a fire near the brush line (stay 10 feet away), never leave a fire unattended, and never bury a fire.

The danger from wildfires isn’t limited to Oregon’s forests.  Every year, wildfires are started from careless burning and failing to completely extinguish fires that spread from the beach into the grassy dunes and then into the vegetation and pine scrub above them. The winds off the ocean can fan these flames into nearby homes and businesses.

It is essential to follow safe beach fire practices: 

• Check online for seasonal fire restrictions.
• Keep beach fires below the high tide mark on the beach, never near the grassy dunes and vegetation.
• Always control the fire, and douse with plenty of water prior to leaving. Pour water around the base of the fire pit, not directly on hot coals.
• Do not cover beach fires with sand as this has potential to harm people or wildlife who step onto hot coals and allows possible flare ups to occur later.