Let's Get Ready Orcas logo

Our Mission is to support community-based emergency response on Orcas Island, in San Juan County, Washington State.

UCLA CERTs

 Above: Community Emergency Response Team, UCLA 

Let's
GET READY, ORCAS!

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Heavy rains washed away a stream bank, collapsing an island road

Above: Heavy rains washed away a stream bank, collapsing an island road

Peaceful Orcas, Full Moon

Above: A peaceful, full-moon night on Orcas

The island is relatively safe:

  • Wildfire: Moderate summer temperatures and high relative humidity make the danger of wildfire lower than in many mainland areas.
  • Flooding: The San Juans, in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, get substantially less precipitation than nearby places such as Seattle. Orcas Island terrain tends to be hilly, and there are no major rivers. These factors combine to make flooding much less of a problem on Orcas than in many areas on the mainland.
  • Weather events: Historically, summertime high temperatures have been around 70°F, while wintertime lows averaged in the high 30s to low 40s. Winter snows are infrequent, except at higher elevations.
  • Tsunamis: The typical high bank shoreline offers significant protection from tsunamis. Generally, islanders can escape to high ground from lower areas.
  • Earthquake: The prevalence of bedrock provides protection against earthquake damage, compared with other areas with more loose, unconsolidated soils.

There are still significant dangers:

  • Earthquakes & Tsunamis: Though rare, major earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis will present serious challenges, even if their main effects hit elsewhere in the region. Supplies of food and fuel to the islands will be disrupted. Water pipes and water towers may crumble or crack. Many roads will be damaged. Fallen trees will block passage. Subsea power, phone and internet cables may be knocked out. Power, communications, ferries, and sewer would all be affected. In addition, in a widespread regional event, major population centers like Seattle will be the initial focus for rescue efforts. It could be weeks or months before outside help arrives in the San Juan Islands.
  • Wildfire: Summers are getting drier and hotter. Each year there are periods of high fire danger, and both populated and forested areas may be vulnerable. Every 10-15 years, very strong dry winds out of the east create conditions in which a spark from a rock struck by a chainsaw or a weed whacker can ignite a wildfire.
  • Winter Storms: The island is seeing increasing rainfall and more severe windstorms during the winter, along with occasional snowstorms and freezing temperatures. Roads can be blocked, power, water and electricity disrupted. Local emergency personnel have to prioritize the most severe injuries and may not reach some areas for days after a major storm.
San Juan County map   Above: Map of the San Juan Islands (click to enlarge)

Greenville CERTs

Our Vision Includes ...

  • Ongoing training, education and drills for everyone, regardless of skills or physical abilities
  • Preparing for individual and family self-sufficiency in critical areas such as food and water
  • Developing communications networks using technologies such as Family Radio Service, General Mobile Radio Service, ham radio and satellite that could continue to function when cell towers and internet fail
  • Mutual support and cooperation with other groups involved in emergency response
  • Providing community support in the critical period before professional emergency responders arrive
  • Empowering community members to safely and effectively assist professional responders (if and when requested!) by teaching essential skills such as fire safety, search and rescue, and medical operations, and organizing volunteers to handle tasks that free up first responders for more complex duties

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    Questions? Suggestions?
    email Michael Hurwicz: mhurwicz(at)gmail.com

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