MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Gov. Inslee’s earthquake subcabinet says it didn’t have enough resources

Sep 27, 2017, 7:48 AM | Updated: Sep 28, 2017, 8:01 am

Jay Inslee...

Gov. Jay Inslee. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

A subcabinet put together by Governor Jay Inslee to come up with recommendations on how the state can prepare for a catastrophic earthquake says it wasn’t given enough resources.

Feel shaking? Check the Earthquake Tracker

KIRO Radio’s Hanna Scott reports that in a recently released report, the Resilient Washington Subcabinet says it was constrained by a short time window, zero funding, and no additional staff.

It also says the governor told them to look for quick, cheap options, rather than long-term expensive recommendations. For instance, instead of identifying schools that are at risk of collapsing and budgeting money to fix them, the report favors mandatory earthquake drills in schools, which are currently optional, KIRO 7 reports.

KING reports that only five of the counties in Washington state have examined the risk of earthquakes to schools.

The report also recommends negotiating advance contracts with fuel providers, training engineers to give quick assessments to damaged buildings, and evaluating hospital preparedness.

The subcabinet says, “Significant work has already occurred to increase Washington’s resilience to withstand earthquakes and tsunamis, yet much work remains to further this effort.”

According to the subcabinet, Washington is well behind Oregon and California when it comes to seismic evaluations of schools and other important buildings, such as hospitals. The state has failed to fully outline the coastlines that would be impacted by a tsunami. Unlike California, Washington state has also failed to require vulnerable buildings be retrofitted and hasn’t helped fund improvements to schools.

Inslee said the meeting with the subcabinet on Wednesday was “just the beginning.” He plans to release recommendations for next steps within a few weeks.

MyNorthwest News

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

25 minutes ago

Everett boy missing...

Frank Sumrall

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

2 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

11 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

13 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

15 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

15 hours ago

Gov. Inslee’s earthquake subcabinet says it didn’t have enough resources