Disasters and Accidents

Runner Mourns Losses At Marathon

Kristian Foden-Vencil — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:40:25 +0000

An estimated 300 Oregonians were registered to run the Boston Marathon Monday.

Portland Man Finishes Boston Marathon, Hears Explosion

Kristian Foden-Vencil — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:21:05 +0000

When explosions rocked the Boston Marathon route today Monday hundreds of Oregonians were in the city for the race. More than 300 people from Oregon were registered for the marathon, and Nike and Adidas both had staffs there.

Feds Issue Citations On Northwest Firefighter’s Death

Jessica Robinson — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:25:06 +0000

A federal investigation into a firefighter's death last year in Idaho finds hazardous conditions that could have been prevented. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or OSHA , faults both the Forest Service and the private Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association for a number of workplace safety violations.

More Northeast Oregon Bus Crash Victims Identified

Anna King and Anna — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:17:04 +0000

Two Korean tourists who were visiting family in Bothell, Wash., are the latest victims to be identified in that deadly bus crash in northeast Oregon. Police say Sunday’s accident east of Pendleton was Oregon’s deadliest crash since 1971. Among the dead were 67-year-old Jung Oun Hong and his 63-year-old wife, Kim Joong Wha of Korea.

Oregon Officials Review School Safety Policies

Rob Manning — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 02:12:06 +0000

The shootings at a Connecticut elementary school have top Oregon officials taking stock of school policies and procedures. The head of Oregon’s Department of Education, Rob Saxton, says he's reviewing safety with school districts. In ordering flags in Oregon to half-staff, Gov. John Kitzhaber said he supports “the President’s call for meaningful action, regardless of politics.”

Five Ways To Recover Faster From 'The Big One'

Tom Banse — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:41:35 +0000

For years, emergency managers have urged people to stockpile enough food, water and supplies to last 72 hours after a disaster. In the Northwest, basic assumptions like that are now under scrutiny, especially when it comes to the risk from a big earthquake. Two committees in Oregon and Washington have been working for more than a year to come up with wide-ranging recommendations to improve the region's disaster resilience.

Pet And Animal Sheltering Complicates Emergency Readiness

Tom Banse — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 01:55:18 +0000

If you watched some of last month's coverage of Superstorm Sandy, you probably saw rescues of people who refused to evacuate. Many stayed behind, despite the danger, to be with their pets. Emergency shelters for people usually don't let you bring your house pets or livestock along. The same issue cropped up here during wildfire season last summer. And correspondent Tom Banse reports it could loom over the next flood or earthquake.

Northwest Businesses Join Schools In Biggest Ever Quake Drill

Tom Banse — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 23:54:41 +0000

Thursday, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho joined their Western neighbors for an earthquake drill of unprecedented scale. Some of the record participation was due to businesses joining in the drill. In our area, among those practicing were architects, utilities and banks.

Millions To Take Part In Coordinated Earthquake Drill

Tom Banse — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 23:51:24 +0000

Numerology and disaster preparedness come together Thursday morning on a big scale. At 10:18 on 10/18, eight Western states along with British Columbia and other places are coordinating on an earthquake and tsunami drill. Nearly a million people are signed up to participate in the Northwest.

Northwest Fire Season Stretches Tribal Resources Thin

Jessica Robinson — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:26:10 +0000

Fire crews are pushing back against a new blaze near Omak, Wash. The 5,000-acre wildfire on the Colville Indian Reservation has already destroyed two homes and forced other residents to evacuate. The Northwest’s busy fire season has taken a toll on tribal lands this year.