COMMUNITY PRESERVATION IN ACTION This Saturday at Yachats Emergency Preparedness Fair

YACHATS EMERGENCY FAIR SATURDAY, OCT 3rd!!! 11 AM to 3 PM! wants to help coastal residents “Be 2 Weeks Ready” for disasters-- 

 Yachats and other small, forested coastal communities are more likely to be hit by a wildfire like the one that devastated the Lincoln County community of Otis in September 2020 rather than an earthquake-caused tsunami. (Lincoln Chronicle file photo) 

Most of us don’t hesitate to protect our homes and vehicles with insurance policies. So why not spend some time to help protect your own survival in case of a natural disaster? This “policy” is free, available to all, and takes just an hour or two at the Yachats Emergency Preparedness Fair on Saturday, Oct. 3.

 Several prize drawings are scheduled to entice the undecided. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Yachats Commons, the city’s Emergency Preparedness Group will offer the tools to “Be 2 Weeks Ready.”

 This means having a household emergency plan and at least 14 days’ worth of supplies in the event of fire, earthquake or tsunami. 

 Because of its location, Yachats is potentially vulnerable to being isolated in the event of a natural disaster. “If we are cut off in any way, we will be the last area to be helped” by emergency services, said Linn West, chair of the emergency group. 

Linn West, chair of the Yachats Emergency Preparedness Group, looks over the inventory stored in a shipping container at the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District’s main station. If the bridges just north and south of Yachats and highways into the Willamette Valley became impassable, outside help would have no way to reach the area. Cell phone towers would likely be down, food supplies could be severely cut, and emergency services crippled.

 While some may think a tsunami triggered by faults in the ocean’s floor is the biggest threat “We’re more likely to be hit by fires or landslides,” West said, as parts of Oregon have experienced in recent years. He noted that Yachats Rural Fire Protection District interim chief Jeff Mathia “worries about a tsunami but thinks that a wildfire is far more likely, coming from the east.” 

 To help residents be prepared for such disasters, the fair will feature some 15 different tables set up with literature, guidelines for creating “go bags,” tips on water/food/shelter and more. Representatives will be on hand from groups such as the American Red Cross, state and county Offices of Emergency Management, a ham radio group, the Community Emergency Response Team, the fire district and others. 

 Every attendee will get a raffle ticket for prize drawings that will occur about every 15 minutes. Winners won’t have to be present to collect goodies like sweatshirts, a NOAA radio, a first aid kit, go bags, and even some child-oriented prizes. 

Local businesses have kicked in with gift certificates and prizes. Dream Machine, a Yachats coffee shop, will also be on hand to sell beverages. 
The city of Yachats and many others on the Oregon coast have painted signs on streets telling residents and visitors where the inundation zone might be if a major tsunami hits. (Lincoln Chronicle file photo) 

Fatalism, denial or readiness--  West, an architect by profession, has been involved in local emergency planning since 2020 and also chairs the city’s Public Works and Streets Committee.. That gives him an informed perspective about peoples’ attitudes toward disaster planning.

 “There are basically two groups,” he said. “Those who don’t get why we bother and don’t think a disaster will happen. And then there are those who want to help themselves and help preserve the community.” 

 Although “We have a pretty smart population,” West said people in the first group tend to dismiss the likelihood of natural disaster or focus on tsunami alone. West has often heard the tsunami-minded verbally shrug, and say “I’ll just sit here with a glass of wine and let it come.” 

 To that fatalist camp, he has this to say: “Why not be ready to help your neighbor and yourself? Will a tsunami strike in a day, a year, 20 years? Science doesn’t know. We do know that earthquakes and wildfires are happening more and more frequently. It’s about community preservation.”

 “It’s like insurance,” he added: “You hope you never have to use it, but if you do, you’ll be awfully glad you have it.” People on the readiness side understand that a natural disaster could leave Yachats isolated for “weeks, if not months,” West said. 

“We’ll need to eat, drink and shelter. And we need to do the best we can to prepare.” The city’s emergency preparedness group is actively seeking more volunteers to help with that preparation. Those interested can email West at linnarchspec@gmail.com. 

Cheryl Romano is a Yachats freelance writer who contributes regularly to Lincoln Chronicle. She can be reached at Wordsell@gmail.com