Ready for the Wave: Free Webinar Helps Oregonians Prepare for Earthquakes and Tsunamis

SALEM, Ore. — In recognition of World Tsunami Awareness Day, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites Oregonians to participate in Ready for the Wave: Oregon Tsunami Preparedness, a free, 90-minute webinar on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

The webinar will help individuals, families and communities better understand the risks associated with the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami, recognize warning signs and take practical steps to prepare before disaster strikes.

Oregon's coastline faces significant tsunami hazards from both local and distant earthquakes. A major earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone could generate a tsunami that reaches parts of the Oregon coast within minutes, leaving little time for evacuation.

Understanding these risks and knowing what actions to take can make a lifesaving difference.

What Participants Will Learn

During the webinar, participants will learn:

• What causes tsunamis that can impact Oregon.

• How and when to receive tsunami alerts and warnings.

• What to do before, during and after a tsunami.

• How individuals, families and communities can prepare for Oregon's tsunami hazards.

The session will provide practical preparedness information for coastal residents, visitors and anyone interested in learning more about Oregon's earthquake and tsunami risks.

Making Preparedness Accessible to All Oregonians

To help ensure emergency preparedness information reaches Oregon's diverse communities, the webinar will be presented in English with live interpretation available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Mandarin and Ukrainian.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning will also be provided.

By offering multilingual and accessible communication options, OEM and its partners aim to reduce barriers to preparedness information and help more Oregonians understand how to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Know the Signs. Know Where to Go.

For those living, working or visiting the Oregon coast, tsunami preparedness begins with understanding the natural warning signs.

Strong or prolonged earthquake shaking, a sudden rise or fall in ocean water, or a loud roar from the ocean may signal an approaching tsunami.

If you experience these warning signs, move immediately to high ground or inland as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not wait for an official alert or evacuation notice.