Local

Earthquake, volcano, wildfire: Ways to prepare for emergencies in Washington state

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

Learn how to prepare for disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, and wildfires in Washington state with these safety tips and strategies. Topics such as power outages during extreme weather and cold-water safety highlight the need for adequate planning and equipment. Community systems also play a role in resilience.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Tank the dog plows through the snow as he walks with Samantha Varrone and Tanner Hansen along Vista Place in Tumwater, Washington, on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. By Tony Overman

NO. 1: HERE ARE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE DURING THE BITTERLY COLD WEATHER AFFECTING WASHINGTON

Our furry friends are susceptible to the freezing cold temperatures. Here are four tips to follow to make sure your dog is safe and warm. | Published January 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Rosemary Montalvo

The sun rises behind Mount Rainier as seen from Tumwater, Washington, on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

NO. 2: IS PIERCE COUNTY AT HIGH RISK FOR EARTHQUAKES? VOLCANOES? YES, ACCORDING TO FEMA REPORT

FEMA’s National Risk Index ranks U.S. counties by how vulnerable they are to natural disasters. Here’s what’s at risk in Pierce County. | Published March 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Rosemary Montalvo

Tsunami hazard zones in Tacoma are highlighted in yellow on the Washington Geologic Survey’s tsunami design zone map. By Courtesy

NO. 3: PARTS OF TACOMA, OLYMPIA SUSCEPTIBLE TO TSUNAMIS. NEW REGULATIONS AIM TO MAKE THEM SAFER

An interactive online map shows where the building codes are in effect. | Published March 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor

Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station, north of RIchland, enters a new era Thursday when the 1,200 megawatt nuclear power plant commences a 20-year period of extended operation.

NO. 4: NORTHWEST’S ONLY NUCLEAR PLANT IS IN WA. ARE YOU READY FOR A RADIATION RELEASE EMERGENCY?

While a radiation release emergency is unlikely, areas near Washington’s nuclear plant should be prepared for the possibility. | Published April 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Karlee Van De Venter

Wildfire smoke hangs in the air as rocks tumble onto Highway 20 near Newhalem, Wash., in Whatcom County on Friday, Aug. 12, 2023 By Washington State Department of Transportation.

NO. 5: AS THE WEATHER TURNS WARM AND DRY, IT’S A GREAT TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE WILDFIRE SEASON

Washington saw a total of 1,880 wildfires in 2023, the second-highest total on record. | Published May 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mikaila Hayes, Washington Fire Marshal’s Office

The panoramic and breathtaking view of the south rim of Mount Saint Helens, looking past a still venting lava dome north toward Spirit Lake and Mount Rainier, is awe inspiring but scientist are focused on a repressurizing of the magma chamber below the mountain. Scientist will be conducting explosive “active imaging events,” and deploying thousands of seismic sensors and 70 passive sensing arrays this Spring and Summer as part of a battery of multidisciplinary imaging experiments collectively called iMUSH for Imaging magma Under St. Helens. By Dean J. Koepfler

NO. 6: COULD A WA VOLCANO ERUPT AGAIN IN OUR LIFETIME? WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AND HOW YOU CAN PREPARE

The historic Mount St. Helens eruption occurred 44 years ago, but it still remains an active volcano today. | Published May 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Karlee Van De Venter

NO. 7: CAN INSURANCE COMPANIES CANCEL FIRE COVERAGE IN WASHINGTON STATE? HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW

Insurers reportedly canceled policies for thousands of Los Angeles area homes. Here’s how Washingtonians can check their coverage. | Published January 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Schrager

Dan Wehmeier told The News Tribune Jan. 15, 2025 he’s clearing land as part of a 77-acre wildfire fuel reduction project on the Key Peninsula through his forestry management company, Wehmeier LLC. Brush close to the ground can ignite and lead to a wildfire, he told The News Tribune.

NO. 8: COULD PIERCE COUNTY QUICKLY EVACUATE DURING A WILDFIRE? SOME WOULD HAVE TO ESCAPE BY WATER

A wildfire protection plan that’s in the works should include information about areas of Pierce County with heightened wildfire risk. | Published January 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.