State Agencies Prepare for Mount St. Helens Activity
Salem , Oregon – Governor Ted Kulongoski announced today that the State of Oregon ’s Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) has been placed on “Stand-By” status due to the recent activity on Mt. St. Helens and in response to concerns that there is a 70% chance for a small to moderate eruption, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Stand-By Level means that the Oregon Emergency Response System’s Communications Center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that all state agencies stand ready to respond to the ECC if necessary.
Experts have stated that any eruption of the mountain would not bear any similarity to the catastrophic explosion in May of 1980, and that there is a 30 percent chance that this activity may die down in future days with no eruption at all.
“Even if there is no eruption, it is important for Oregonians to be aware and prepared – and for them to know that the state is ready to address any emergency situation that might arise,” said the governor. “I have asked my lead state agency, the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, to work with Oregon Emergency Management, the U.S. Geological Survey and others to keep everyone informed as to the mountain’s activity and the chances for any impact to Oregonians.”
Oregon Emergency Management officials participated in a video teleconference this morning with officials from the U.S. Geological Survey, FEMA Region Ten out of Bothell, Washington, FEMA Headquarters out of Washington, D.C. and the States of Idaho, Washington and Oregon. The purpose of the call was to discuss the overnight events on the mountain and to exchange information on the various activities of the agencies involved.
“As with any natural hazard event, it is an appropriate time to remind Oregonians that it’s always a good idea to have your family emergency preparedness plan in place, with 72-hour kits for each member of your family” said Dave Cassel of Oregon Emergency Management. A guide to employee and family preparedness plans can be found on Oregon Emergency Management’s website:
http://egov.oregon.gov/OOHS/OEM/index.shtml
Since the 1980 eruption, State agencies have refined response plans for volcanic activity ranging from public health to transportation closures. Local jurisdictions have also done planning for volcanic activity in their respective areas during the last few years.
Daily updates of earthquake data and other information can be found on the website:
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/
Information on how to be prepared for ashfall can be found online at:
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Hazards/Safety/what_to_do_during_ashfall.html
Learn more about Mt. St. Helens and Oregon ’s geology by going online at:
http://www.oregongeology.com
For more information:
Governor ’s Office
Marian Hammond, 503-378-6169
Office of Homeland Security, Oregon Emergency Management
Abby Kershaw, 503-378-2911, x. 22227
Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries
James Roddey, 503-731-4100, x. 242 or cell phone at (503) 807-8343
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