PUBLIC ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS OF TSUNAMIS AND WARNING SYSTEMS IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON: THE CASE STUDY OF OCEAN SHORES AND SEASIDE

A longitudinal study of residents was conducted in Ocean Shores, Washington and Seaside, Oregon in 2006 and 2007 as part of a national assessment of attitudes and preparedness for future tsunami events. These communities were chosen because of proximity to the Cascadia subduction zone and because they are communities with tested tsunami warning systems and outstanding levels of tsunami outreach in recent years.

Residents were asked questions about their knowledge, preparedness and perceptions of tsunami hazards and their community’s tsunami warning system. The findings indicate that residents have an exceptionally high level of knowledge of tsunamis, in both communities 96% of residents believe earthquakes are the principal cause of damaging tsunamis, and have excellent risk perception, i.e., realistic understanding of the risk that their community faces. Critical awareness is very high in Ocean Shores, with an exceptionally high level of communication at both formal meetings and in informal settings (home, school, workplace). Most residents have a thorough knowledge of official evacuation routes and have driven or walked these routes (Oregon 84%; Washington 72%).

In both communities a significant number of residents expressed reservations about the efficacy of the evacuation procedures, which modulates levels of acceptance of the system. Residents were concerned about traffic congestion (Oregon 60%; Washington 81%) and warning times (Oregon 37%; Washington 47%). Levels of trust in local officials are also low (Oregon <34%; Washington <20% across 4 questions). Outcome expectancy (the extent to which people perceive hazard consequences as surmountable) and trust are thus key factors to target next in developing additional layers of tsunami preparedness in these 2 coastal communities.