Ready for what Oregon actually throws at you.
The Cascadia Subduction Zone could produce a 9.0 earthquake and 40-foot tsunami with 15 minutes' warning, wildfires that move at highway speed, and an ice storm that can paralyze Portland in hours.
About this guide
Oregon's hazard profile is dominated by one existential risk most residents rarely discuss: the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Running 700 miles offshore from northern California to British Columbia, it last ruptured in January 1700 — producing a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Pacific Northwest coastal communities. Scientists estimate a 37% probability of a major Cascadia event in the next 50 years. Coastal Oregon towns have 15-30 minutes to evacuate to high ground before a 30-40 foot tsunami arrives. Inland, the Willamette Valley's flat geography offers no shelter from ice storms that paralyze Portland. Eastern Oregon burns every summer. The Coast Range and Cascades generate some of the most extreme rainfall and snowmelt flooding in the country.
Local self-reliance starts with knowing your place.
Quick facts
Top hazards: Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake & Tsunami, Wildfires, Flooding & Landslides
OR has expanded Medicaid — adults up to 138% FPL may qualify
USDA hardiness zones: 4b (eastern OR / Wallowa Mountains) to 9b (southwestern OR / Medford valley)
Unemployment: up to $872/week for 26 weeks
Free or low-cost soil testing available through the state extension service
Seven topics, one state
Each section focuses on one question. Find what you need without wading through what you don't.
Official maps and tools for flood, fire, earthquake, water, dam, river, and local hazard awareness.
Am I at risk? →
Find nearby courses, extension programs, and emergency training that build practical skills.
Where do I learn? →
Connect with local gatherings, neighbor-help efforts, civic groups, and community support networks.
What's happening near me? →
Find official alerts, emergency agencies, trauma centers, and crisis-response information near you.
Who do I call? →
Use local frost dates, planting zones, soil data, extension calendars, and composting guidance.
What can I grow? →
Find food, utility, health, unemployment, and 211 resources before hardship becomes crisis.
Where can I find help? →
Find your county transit provider, demand-response ride service, and carpool matching options.
How do I get around? →
Simple step-by-step preparedness checklists for your home, family, garden, documents, and local risks.
What do I do next? →
Get specific
Enter your ZIP code to see real-time weather alerts, drought conditions, FEMA disaster declarations, and county-level resources.
Next steps
Know your risks
Flood zones, hazard maps, and the OR risks that apply to your county.
Local Risk ReadinessBuild the basics
The universal first step — before you personalize, get the 72-hour foundation in place.
First 72 Hours