By Brian Hoop
Oregonians now have a new tool to prepare for the “Big One.” The U.S. Geological Survey has rolled out its earthquake early warning system, ShakeAlert, in Oregon. Every Linntonite should get this app being as our neighborhood lies above a fault line and is located alongside Oregon’s critical energy hub.
How does it work?
The system consists of “a network of sensors” that can detect the magnitude and location of a coming quake and send alerts via cellphone and the internet moments before it hits. Although the warning comes only seconds before the shaking begins, it can trigger automatic processes with partner agencies, such as stopping trains to prevent derailments and closing water valves. Go to: https://www.shakealert.org/ to learn more.
Over the past two years, the USGS has been expanding its sensor network along the West Coast. It is now 70% complete, the agency says, with 1,132 seismic stations installed as of January.
How to download?
The app needs to be activated through your mobile phone to receive the alerts and theoretically give you seconds of advance warning to find a secure location to take cover. You can download the app from Google Play and Apple Store at https://earlywarninglabs.com/mobile-app/.
You can also learn more about how to activate the app through your settings, though the listing appears to not be built in on older mobile phones.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSFEMA/bulletins/28b6703
https://www.oregon.gov/oem/hazardsprep/Pages/orshakealert.aspx