City prepares for earthquake aftermath
October 12, 2010
A dry-erase board at the city Emergency Operations Center lists mock local road closures as city employees handle emergency scenarios during the two-day regional earthquake drill. By Greg Farrar
The disaster — a magnitude 6.7 earthquake — struck the region less than 48 hours earlier, during rush hour at 7:54 a.m. on a Tuesday.
The temblor triggered landslides on steep slopes, damaged Interstate 90 through Issaquah, snapped mains and compromised the drinking water supply, and toppled cargo cranes at the Port of Seattle — a critical link to deliver food and fuel to Issaquah and the region.
Leaders urge emergency preparedness
October 12, 2010
Issaquah Highlands residents gathered at Blakely Hall over pizza and soda late last month to prepare for a cataclysm.
The meeting, part of the statewide Map Your Neighborhood effort, brought together residents of a highlands neighborhood to prepare for the aftermath of a strong earthquake.
“What we found out with Katrina and the Kobe earthquake in Japan is that neighbors depend on neighbors,” Stuart Linscott, a highlands resident and Issaquah Citizen Corps Council board member, told the group.
Linscott and other corps members offer free education and training to organize Issaquah residents — neighborhood by neighborhood — for disasters.
Because only a handful of Eastside Fire & Rescue firefighters might be on duty in Issaquah at the time of a calamity, city and state officials encourage residents to take steps to prepare.
Citizens are encouraged to be ready for disaster, quake drill
April 6, 2010
On Wednesday, April 21, between 9:45 and 10 a.m., there will be a statewide earthquake drill. The “Drop, Cover and Hold” exercise is part of Washington state’s observation of Disaster Preparedness Month.
“I encourage all citizens to increase their knowledge and awareness of proper safety measures to follow before, during and after a disaster,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire in a press release.
One local group leading the way is the Issaquah Citizens Corps, a team made up of volunteers that promotes and provides emergency response education and training to the public free of charge. Offerings include the Map Your Neighborhood program, which provides free trainers to visit local neighborhoods.
At these “parties for preparedness,” neighbors can learn what to do in the critical first minutes following a disaster, identify skills and plan how to work together, set up a neighborhood meeting location and map out hazards including natural gas and propane outlets.
In addition, the corps also teams with the national Community Emergency Response Team organization to offer classes, including first aid training, basic firefighting, light search and rescue, and how to turn off utilities. Space is limited, so it’s best to sign up early.
Aside from classes and seminars, there are basic, simple things everyone easily can (and should) do to make sure they and their families are prepared, because when a disaster happens, it may not be possible for emergency responders to reach you right away.
People “need to be able to rely on their own skills and training” and “become self sufficient,” said Josie Williams, spokeswoman for Eastside Fire & Rescue. Read more
Health & Safety Fair comes to Issaquah on March 13
February 16, 2010
Attendees at last year’s Health & Safety Fair ask questions about eye care and prescription lenses. File
The sixth annual Issaquah/Sammamish Health & Safety Fair will be from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. March 13 at Pickering Barn. Vendor space for health care professionals is still available.
Free health screenings will be offered for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, blood typing, posture and intra-oral cancer. Free chair massages and Chinese pulse diagnosis will also be available. Read more
Water closes streets, floods businesses and homes
January 8, 2009
UPDATED — 1:20 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Tibbetts and Issaquah creeks were cresting at 8 a.m. and water from them will be flowing through Issaquah over the next several hours. The forecast is calling for more rain.
Block your basement drains and evacuate your home if needed. Do not leave animals at home if you evacuate. The Seattle Humane Society has temporary shelter ready to provide safety and care for them. Call 641-0080.
Do not walk, wade or drive in flooded areas. Report storm water issues or request delivery of sand and bags by calling Public Works Operations at 837-3470. The city is accepting calls for sand and bags 24 hours a day during this flooding.
See a map of road closures here.
Sisters Jennifer Davies, Julianne Long and Mindy Heintz (from left) retrieve belongings Jan. 8 from the toppled guesthouse at the home of their parents, Jack and Karen Brooks, beside Issaquah Creek in the 23300 block of Southeast May Valley Road. — By Greg Farrar
