Oregon Wrestles With Building Facilities In Tsunami Zones
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Experts say the big one is coming to the Pacific Northwest: a massive earthquake that will cause buildings and bridges to collapse and unleash a tsunami that will devastate the coast.
But, doubling down on its decision last year to allow the construction of critical facilities in tsunami inundation zones, the Oregon Legislature appears headed to approve building standards for those facilities, like police and fire stations.
The House Committee on Natural Resources last week approved the measure by a 6-1 vote, sending it to the House floor for a vote.
A leading earthquake expert, and the lone dissenting voter, says lawmakers are making a big mistake.