As part of its annual campuswide disaster drill, the UW will participate in the statewide earthquake disaster drill on Tuesday June 5, 2012. The UW, including its senior leadership, will test our collective response to a massive regional earthquake. While the exercise will be simulated, we will be testing various systems and plans and expect to develop improved response capabilities. More information can be found here
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UWEM What's New Archive
Emergency Management News Archive
Below are news articles that have been archived by our staff. Some past articles may have been removed from the database.
UW to Participate in Evergreeen Quake 2012 on June 5th
May 25, 2012
A Fun Doomsday Website Just Published
May 04, 2012
The Doomsday Preppers are ready for a variety of cataclysmic disasters that could mean the end of the world as we know it. But which end-of-the-world scenario are we all really worried about? Using Twitter, this website is mining the chatter to see what is at the forefront of the public’s collective consciousness. Will it be a megaquake, economic collapse, global pandemic, a 2012 cataclysm, nuclear war, solar-flare-induced power failures, or an extreme oil crisis that leads to the unraveling of society? Check back to see what the masses are saying, and see which catastrophe is on top of the Doomsday Dashboard. Click here
La Nina Quietly (and Finally) Is Over
May 03, 2012
Who would have guessed that our past Winter (and early) Spring would have been so wet, long and cold? Well, the good news is that is “officially” over. Click here for more information and all the details!
Go Ahead: DROP, COVER & HOLD ON on April 25th
April 16, 2012
UWEM recommends that all UW units and departments to practice the “Drop, Cover & Hold” actions as part of the statewide Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness drill on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 anytime. While the “official” statewide drill takes place from 9:45 to 10 AM (mostly for K-12 schools), we strongly encourage everyone to take a few minutes out of their morning to reinforce these important steps that have saved many lives in previous earthquakes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The UW has no legal or mandatory requirement for participation in the statewide drill, but we do recommend that units, departments, offices, buildings and individuals voluntarily take a moment to review the basics of “Drop, Cover and Hold” in their workplaces, classrooms and residences. Check out our “Earthquake and Tsunami” resources on our homepage for more information.
Prepare in a Year: April Tip
April 03, 2012
72-Hour Comfort Kits: Chances are you will have to rely upon supplies you have available in your home for at least he first three days following any major disaster. Store these items in something that is portable and easily carried, like a plastic tub with a tight-fitting lid. In the event of fire or rapid evacuation, you’ll appreciate having more than just the clothes on your back. Learn more
The Pacific NW's Uber EQ Threat
March 15, 2012
A new article from Discover Magazine highlights not one, but multiple potential scenarios for a earthquake at least as destructive as the March 11, 2011 9.0 magnitude Tohoku, Japan megathrust earthquake. These scenarios are based on geological evidence and are well-supported by research supported at the University of Washington. The article can be found here.
Solar Storm
March 08, 2012
UWEM practices an All-Hazards planning model, even for something like a Solar Storm. The last significant solar storm that impacted humanity caused a geomagnetic storm that resulted in a 9-hour black-out for 6 million people in Quebec, Canada in March, 1989.
Prepare in a Year: March Tip - Storing Water
March 01, 2012
Water is essential for survival. The ground trembling and shaking caused by earthquakes can crack or break the lines that bring fresh water to your house. You may have to rely for three days or more on the water you have stored. Learn more
Quake Experts Predict our "Big One" Could be Much Worse than Previoiusly Thought
February 21, 2012
Experts agree that it’s not a matter of if, but when the Pacific Northwest is rocked by an enormous earthquake, but new information shows that the “big one” could be even bigger and badder than first thought.
Scientists say when the next big one hits, it could be something straight out of your nightmares. Click here for more details.
Getting Ready for the "Big One": UW Style
February 14, 2012
The February 14th edition of the DAILY student newspaper contained a lengthy and detailed article on how the UW Seattle campus prepares for and potentially will respond to a catastrophic earthquake. Not-if, but when is our constant motto. To read the entire article, click here
Prepare in a Year: Feb Tip Out-of-Area Contacts
January 31, 2012
Preparing to be Separated from Loved Ones. If you are separated from your loved ones when disasters strike, you immediately will wonder how and where they are. The stress of the event may make it difficult to remember even routine information, like phone numbers.Consequently, we recommend that every household member have an out-of-area contact card in a wallet, purse, or backpack at all times. Learn more
When the Power Goes Out Off-Campus
January 31, 2012
This morning at around 5:30, large chunks of SW campus (including many residence halls on West Campus) went dark due to a power “spike” from Seattle City Light. If you have power and ever want to see a map of current power outages, check out their cool website that shows areas impacted. Click here for more information.
Day 3 of Nasty Winter Weather .
January 19, 2012
Winter weather emergency responses continue for the UW system as Mother Nature decided that she actually WOULD give us as taste of winter. The UW-Seattle campus is closed again today (Thurs. 01/19) for classes but essential service employees are required to report to work. Our emergency response teams continue to monitor local weather, road and transit operations and respond to the ongoing snow and ice. STAY TUNED to this website and the UW’s main website for updates on delays, suspended operations and other weather-related conditions.
We're Looking for a few Good Men (and Women)!
January 12, 2012
UWEM is in the process of hiring 2 junior/senior or graduate students for 2 exciting (and funded) research projects. Both positions are PAID and will go through December 2012. Go to the Husky Career Center for more information - Job postings 59037 & 59029 . One position will develop 2 disaster plans for the UW and the other will develop an online disaster response tracking system.
National Blood Donor Month
January 06, 2012
Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather, and illness. January, in particular, is a difficult month for blood centers to collect blood donations. The America Association of Blood Banks, in conjunction with America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross, celebrates National Blood Donor Month (NBDM) to encourage donors to give or pledge to give blood. Click here for more information.
Prepare in a Year Monthly Tip: Action Plan
January 04, 2012
Would you know what to do if an earthquake occurred? A quick response to an earthquake event, volcanic eruption, chemical release and other hazard is critical to your safety and that of your loved ones. Therefore the focus for the first month of Prepare in a Year is to Develop an Action Plan. Learn about the potential hazards and specific actions you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Cool Website to Track UW-Seattle Campus' Snow Removal
December 13, 2011
Ever wondered if you should put on your boots or snow tires to trek across the snowy Seattle campus during a snowstorm? Well, instead of looking out the window, you can now track the status of nearly 120 sidewalks and roads on the Seattle campus to see if they have been plowed or shoveled. Click [here] for a map-based look at your Facilities Department hard-at-work keeping our campus open, accessible and safe!
Put a Freeze on Winter Fires
December 05, 2011
The United State Fire Administration (USFA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are working together to remind everyone that home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season. This is due in part to an increase in cooking and heating fires. Holiday decorations and winter storms that can interrupt electrical service and cause people to turn to alternative heating sources also contribute to the increased risk of fire in winter. Click here for more information.
Prepare in a Year: Dec Tip - Home Hazard Hunt
December 05, 2011
Identify potential home hazards. All of Washington State has the potential of being impacted by a major earthquake. Earthquakes strike suddenly and without warning. When they occur, they cause the ground to undulate and shake, perhaps violently. Buildings – and their contents – are vulnerable to this rocking and rolling. Fortunately, experts teach how to secure homes to their foundations, and contents to wall studs. Learn more
Nationwide Emergency Alert Test on November 9th (Don't Worry!)
November 07, 2011
“This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. The broadcasters of your area in voluntary cooperation with federal, state and local authorities have developed this system to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency, you would have been instructed where to tune in your area for news and official information.” Remember that? Well, for the first time in US History, a true nation-wide test will occur this Wednesday, November 9th at 11 am PST. Click here for more information. The UW will not be testing any of our systems to avoid any confusion on that date!
UWEM Find's GOLD in Green
November 04, 2011
UWEM and the EOC was notified on October 20th that we are the first Facilities Department (and 2nd in the whole UW) to achieve the “Gold Level” office certification for our efforts in environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts! Congratulations to the entire UWEM Team for a job well-done! For more information on this exciting program, click here.
La Nina is Back!
October 20, 2011
2011-2012 Winter Highlights Looks like we are in for a wet start to winter and a cold snowy finish. Time to get prepared. Please check out our Storm Preparedness page for more resources.
Just in time for Halloween...A Zombie Novella from the CDC
October 14, 2011
Just in time for the fun of Halloween, the CDC has released an entertaining way to learn about emergency preparedness through a Zombie Novella(click here). What’s YOUR zombie plan?
Prepare in a Year - Oct Tip: Fire Safety
September 28, 2011
When it comes to fire – be smart! If the fire is too big for you to handle, immediately get out of the house. Don’t stop to gather anything or to do anything. Once you are outside, stay outside. Intense heat and toxic fumes can kill you. Learn more
Prepare in a Year - Sept Tip: Drop Cover Hold
September 12, 2011
During earthquakes, many people’s fight/flight instinct urges them to run! – even when they know they should “drop, cover, hold.” Why? Rational thought (in other words, the knowing) flees. We learn to counter this instinctual response to run by practicing doing the safe thing. Studies show that people in our country tend to be hurt by falling objects, not collapsing structures. If you are on your feet trying to move, you are in danger from toppling bookcases, breaking windows, flying dishes, falling televisions, collapsing fireplaces, or shifting furniture. Safety comes from quickly getting to a place of safety. Read more