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The earthquake threat in Washington is not uniform. Exact figures are not available, as insurance claims information is not available. One person died of a heart attack, hundreds were injured, and various estimates place damage at between $500 million and $4 billion. The Nisqually earthquake on February 28, 2001, was a deep, magnitude 6.8 earthquake 10 miles northeast of Olympia. When an earthquake strikes, where will you be? Do you know what to do? Download our brochure and add the emergency information card, as well. The state experienced at least 20 damaging events in the last 125 years.īe Prepared. A dozen or more are strong enough that people feel ground shaking. More than 1,000 earthquakes occur in the state each year. Washington, especially the Puget Sound basin, has a history of frequent earthquakes. It is this strong shaking and its consequences – ground failure, landslides, liquefaction – that damages buildings and structures and upsets the regional economy. The shaking caused by this sudden shift is often very small, but occasionally large earthquakes produce very strong ground shaking. Most earthquakes occur along a fracture within the earth, called a fault. ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning systemĪn earthquake is the sudden release of stored energy.Use these links to jump down to important areas of our page. Hazardous Material Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grants.For Individuals, Households & Businesses.Alert & Warning Center's Monthly Report.Hazardous Material Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grants
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