Regional Earthquake Experts Call for Increased Coordination and Investment for 'Big One' Preparedness
At the 13th annual National Conference on Earthquake Engineering in Portland, experts emphasized the need for more coordination and investment to prepare for the anticipated Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, known as the 'Big One'. The conference highlighted the vulnerability of Oregon's infrastructure, with only a few state-owned buildings expected to withstand such an event. Discussions included progress on retrofitting key structures like the Portland airport and state Capitol, and the need for policies to address critical transportation and utility corridors. The experts stressed the importance of community microgrids and battery storage to enhance resilience. 
