EPIC Emergency Management Portal 

The mission of EPIC (East Pierce Interlocal Coalition) is to protect lives and property through preparedness and mitigation activities. It develops and refines emergency preparedness and recovery.

https://www.epiceoc.com/

General Preparedness

There are many ways to take action and prepare before an emergency occurs. Here are some of the most important ways to help yourself, your family, and your community increase your preparedness. Simple actions at home and in your neighborhood can make a big difference!

1. Stay Informed by signing up for Pierce County Alerts & Orting Alerts.
2. Create a Family Plan.
   1. Know the hazard in your area WA State Hazards.
   2. Write down your Family Emergency Plan.
3. Build a Kit using the following supply lists as a guide:
   1. Basic Emergency Kit – Home
   2. Basic Emergency Kit - Vehicle
   3. Basic Emergency kit - Work
   4. Basic Emergency Kit - Pets
4. Get Involved with Community Training & Volunteer Opportunities.

Additional Resources:

• Prepare in a Year Guide
• Bucket List – Emergency Kit
• Red Cross Website
• FEMA Website
• Pierce County Emergency Management Website

Lahar Information

The most serious hazard facing Orting is a Lahar, or mud flow, which would come from Mt. Rainier and follow the Puyallup and Carbon Rivers. It has been approximately 500 years since a large mud flow came through the Orting/Puyallup Valley and scientists estimate we may be in a 300-year window for something like this to occur again. This is a rare event but would have serious consequences. It is important for Orting Valley residents to be prepared. Orting has five large sirens that are only activated by an actual Lahar or Lahar drill. Drill sirens testing only last a couple of minutes the first Monday of every month. The school district has a Lahar Evacuation Drill once a year when the sirens are tested. You may not be able to hear the sirens well indoors, so it is also important to have a radio that carries NOAA broadcasts. The AM station 1580 also carries emergency incident messages. Estimates are that you have about 42 minutes to get to high ground. It will be critical for Orting citizens to respond quickly and get off the valley floor.

First and foremost: When the sirens wail, don't wait - EVACUATE!

1. Have a family plan to include:
   1. Where you will meet if you cannot get home.
   2. Out-of-area contact person for all family members to call, confirming you are okay and what your plans are.
   3. Grab-and-go backpacks for family members with food, water, necessary medications, and copies of important family records.
   4. Include a plan for your pets.
2. Know the fastest Evacuation Route from where you live and/or work.
3. The driving LAHAR EVACUATION MAP can provide more information on evacuation locations.
4. Plan to WALK OUT – Automobile accidents create huge bottlenecks. You will be able to get out faster if you walk. The best walk-out route is west on Calistoga Avenue to the County Rock Quarry. Another less convenient route is south of town up to the Buttes or Card Road.
5. Do not go to the school for your children—they will already be on their way up the hill. The schools have an evacuation plan. Check with the Orting School District for detailed information on where you can expect to reunite with your children.
6. Keep Moving - Whether walking or driving, don’t stop, keep moving – People behind you need to get up the hill, too. Police will not respond to automobile accidents.

Earthquake Information

An earthquake is a naturally induced shaking of the ground. It is caused by an abrupt shift of rock along a fracture in the earth’s crust called a fault. Pierce County is susceptible to three types of earthquakes: deep, crustal, and Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquakes. Earthquakes directly and indirectly affect all of Pierce County, whether that’s from ground shaking, liquefaction, or resulting landslides and tsunamis. Usually there are no warnings as to when an earthquake might occur. The tremors may last from a few seconds to several minutes.

During the earthquake:

1. KEEP YOUR SELF SAFE FIRST - You will not be available to assist family members/friends/others after the quake if you do not keep yourself safe.
2. IF INSIDE, when the quake occurs:
   1. Drop cover and Hold; crouch under a desk or table, away from windows or glass, or sit against an inside wall, protect your head and neck.
   2. Keep others inside and away from windows and falling objects (if possible).
   3. DO NOT leave the building. Many injuries and fatalities occur when people attempt to leave building during a quake.
3. IF OUTSIDE, when the quake occurs: stand away from building, trees, telephone poles, and electric- lines.
4. IF ON THE ROAD, when the quake occurs: Drive away from underpasses/overpasses; stop in a safe area, stay in the vehicle.
5. After the earthquake, check for injury to yourself & others while reassuring and calming children/others. Stay tuned to radio or television. Check all utilities to make sure they are functioning properly and check building for structural damage.
6. Check for safety hazards — check for gas, water, sewer breaks, downed electric lines and shorts; turn off appropriate utilities and equipment such as gas, electricity, water, computers etc. check for building damage and potential safety problems during aftershocks, such as cracks in walls or foundations.
7. For large quakes that last more than one minutes, consider evacuation to high ground.

Flood Information

A flood is a general and temporary condition of partial or complete flooding of normally dry land areas from: 1.) the overflow of inland or tidal waters, 2.) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source, or 3.) mudflows or the sudden collapse of shoreline land. Flooding directly affects less than 5% of Pierce County. Flooding brings the risk of erosion where river channels can move to new locations and high waves can undermine coastal homes.

1. Monitor all flood warning alert bulletins issued by local radio and television stations.   
2. Terms to remember: A WATCH indicates flooding nearby or possible. A WARNING indicates immediate danger; move quickly-evacuation may be necessary.
3. If time permits move all objects that could possibly be lost or damaged such as Medical Records, Medications, furniture, tools etc. to safe storage area.
4. If flooding occurs, DO NOT touch any electrical equipment unless it is dry and you are not standing in water. Watch for live electric wires that may have fallen.
5. DO NOT use any open flame device until it has been determined that there are no gas leaks.
6. Follow the Evacuation Plan your family has created if evacuation is necessary.  After flooding has subsided, these procedures should be followed:
   1. Do not use any open flame device until it has been determined there are no gas leaks.
   2. Watch for live electric wires. Do not use electric appliances unless they have been inspected.
   3. Do not utilize any food that may have been in flood waters, including canned goods.
   4. Ensure that all drinking water has not been contaminated. Use bottled water for drinking until the water has been tested.
   5. Open doors and windows to ventilate building.
   6. Attempt to remove any mud while still wet.
   7. Remove and discard damaged items.

Weather Information

Severe weather includes a variety of weather patterns that may negatively impact citizens and/or infrastructure in the County. These storms are usually characterized by strong winds frequently combined with rain, snow, sleet, hail, ice, thunder, and lightning. This also includes unusual weather disturbances, such as tornadoes or waterspouts, which appear infrequently in Pierce County. Due to variations in geographic location and elevation, certain areas of the County are more vulnerable to certain types of severe weather, including windstorms and snowstorms.

1. A windstorm or other severe Weather Watch means that conditions are favorable for such storms and that certain established procedures must be implemented.
2. A windstorm, tornado, or other severe Weather Warning means a storm has been forecast and/or sighted and severe weather is rapidly approaching, and the IMMEDIATE ACTION must be taken.
   1. Go inside to a safe location.
   2. Pull draperies to protect against any broken glass.
   3. Move away from windows and provide blankets for head protection against broken glass.
   4. If threatening severe weather (wind, tornado, etc.) is imminent, move to hallways or into interior bathroom areas.
   5. Stay away from large glass areas such as the family/dining room or front entrances.
   6. If there is no time to move to protected areas, lie flat on the floor, face down if possible.
   7. When/where possible, maintain close observation of weather conditions.
   8. Use beds, bed covers, or mattress as protection against flying glass and debris where applicable.
   9. Follow procedures to turn off gas and other utilities if time permits.
3. What to do During a Winter Storm:
   1. Listen to the radio for updates on the weather conditions and instructions from local emergency managers.
   2. Ensure family members are kept warm; utilize extra blankets to cover small children. Conserve heat by moving into common areas, such as family rooms. The more who are in the room, the easier it will be to maintain the heat.  Insure adequate ventilation for alternate sources of heat.  NEVER use outdoor cooking type or Barbecue grills inside for a heat source.
   3. Ensure all stay indoors. In case of ice, be aware of possible falling limbs from trees. Put ice melt on walkways/driveways.
   4. Know the terms used to forecast winter weather conditions: click here.

 To view the Snowplow and Sanding Route, click here.

Emergency Preparedness in the News