ONRC Evening Talks Resuming

After a nearly three-year hiatus, because of COVID restrictions, the ONRC evening talks are starting again with an invited presentation by Elyssa Tappero about the tsunami threat to the outer Olympic coast. Join her in the ONRC Hemlock Forest Conference Room on Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.

You’re in a tsunami hazard zone. Now what? Join Tsunami Program Coordinator Elyssa Tappero of the Washington State Emergency Management Division as she discusses Washington’s tsunami risks and what to do before, during, and after a tsunami to protect yourself and those you love. Both local and distant tsunamis have the potential to impact Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, causing widespread damage and long-lasting impacts.

The ability of Washington’s residents and visitors to react quickly during a tsunami event will be a major factor in saving lives during these devastating hazards. In this presentation you will learn about Washington’s earthquake and tsunami hazards, natural tsunami warning signs and how to sign up for emergency alerts, and what potential tsunami impacts could look like in Clallam County. Elyssa will also provide digital and physical resources to help you on your tsunami preparedness journey.

Elyssa Tappero is the Outer Coast Tsunami Program Coordinator for the Emergency Management Division of the Washington State Military Department. Her work focuses on mitigating the impact of Washington’s tsunami hazards through public education, community response planning, accurate hazard assessment, and an informed warning process.

Through an annual NOAA/NWS Tsunami Activity grant, Elyssa coordinates a wide variety of projects that include tsunami siren maintenance, tsunami inundation and evacuation modeling and mapping, support for TsunamiReady community status, and development of vertical evacuation structure best practices. She also serves in the state emergency operations center when activated for local and statewide incidents.

Prior to her time with the EMD, Elyssa provided disaster preparedness training through The American Red Cross and environmental public education through the King County Housing Authority, as well as managed federal military grants with The Geneva Foundation. She has bachelors’ degrees in Geoscience and History from Pacific Lutheran University.

COVID prevention measures include the use of high-powered air sanitizers for the conference room, and open doors and windows. Per UW policy, masks are recommended (optional) and available onsite for anyone who wants one.

Please join us in the Hemlock Forest Conference Room, 1455 S. Forks Ave., on Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. ONRC Evening Talks is funded through the Rosmond Family Education Fund, an endowment that honors the contributions of Fred Rosmond and his family to forestry and the Forks community. For more information about this event contact Theresa Santman at 360-374-4550 or tsantman@uw.edu.