Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Tsunami 'Go Kits' Now Assist Guests at N. Oregon Coast Hotel

Published 04/09/2019 at 5:33 AM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Tsunami 'Go Kits' Now Assist Guests at N. Oregon Coast Hotel

(Manzanita, Oregon) - The Ocean Inn in Manzanita has come up with a special way to take care of their guests should one particular horrific disaster happen here.

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in winter
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for winter
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for winter
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for winter
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for winter
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for winter

That spooky – and hopefully far-off – geological upheaval that will someday hit the Oregon coast continues to loom over the region: the imminent threat of a massive underwater earthquake just offshore and the subsequent tsunami. Both are expected to do extensive damage to all beach towns, quite likely wiping some off the map entirely. Subduction zone earthquakes and their resultant tsunamis occur in this region approximately every 300 to 500 years, and the last one happened in 1700.

Ocean Inn owners Larry and Janice Zagata, with the help of two other north Oregon coast residents, helped create the “Go Kits” in case of a major tsunami. Jason Johnson, owner of Seaside hiking and sporting goods store Tonquin Trading Company, created the actual product, and Linda Cook of the Emergency Volunteer Corps of the Nehalem Bay helped steer the group’s direction.

Tonquin Trading’s emergency kits are lightweight backpacks that contain a watertight first aid kit, water packets, two food bars, two emergency blankets, two emergency ponchos, and two hand warmers. They also contain a light stick that lasts as long as 12 hours.

They hang in every closet at the Ocean Inn, along with a laminated set of instructions of what to do in case of a tsunami. It’s not rocket science, Larry Zagata points out in a video about the product: you turn right and walk away from the ocean. But evacuation procedures need some explaining sometimes, and the cards will come in handy during a time of panic and desperation.

Janice said she had the idea awhile back, but they only came to fruition this winter.

“The idea of Go Bags for our guests rooms began a few years ago after attending an Emergency Preparedness meeting of the Emergency Volunteer Corps (EVC) of Nehalem Bay,” she said. “I have to admit coming out of that meeting I was even more confused. I began wondering what my obligations to my guest's were. After some research we decided we needed to provide our customers with something that they can ‘grab and go’ with in the event of a natural disaster of any kind.”

Once people arrive at the tsunami meeting point up the road, they will get further instructions.


“We believe that the items in the bag will assist our customers with the basic needs to sustain them until they get to the assembly area and for a short time after.”

Together with Johnson and Cook, they created the go kits. Tonquin Trading Company’s site is now opening them up for sale to other lodgings on the Oregon coast. The names and logos of any company can be printed on them.

They are designed to take care of two individuals, but Johnson’s company can tailor-make them according to other needs.

The go kits aren’t just for tsunamis: they can work in case of any other kind of disaster. Indeed, Manzanita experienced a rare tornado touching down a few years ago that tore up numerous buildings and took down almost a third of the north Oregon coast town’s trees, but flooding and other issues could arise as well.

One such disaster was the inspiration behind creating Nehalem Bay’s EVC. Back in 2007, a large chunk of north Oregon coast – from Wheeler up to Astoria – took the area by surprise when the Great Gale that December knocked out power in many little towns for about a week. Cook said her organization now includes a whopping 400 members who are educated in not just tsunami preparedness but other disasters as well.

Ocean Inn is at 32 Laneda Ave. Manzanita, Oregon. 503-368-7701. 866-368-7701. www.oceaninnatmanzanita.com. - Hotels in Manzanita, Wheeler - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours







More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

 

Oregon Coast event or adventure you can't miss

 



Coastal Spotlight


LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

South Oregon Coast Spring Break: from Whales to Deserted Beaches
Maybe a new spring break tradition could be in order? Check out these beach vibes. South coast events
Possible New Killer Whale Discoveries Off of Oregon Coast Waters
A subpopulation that preys differently off Oregon, California. Marine sciences
Oregon Coast Whale Watch Week May Bring More Whales for Variety of Reasons
Spring Whale Watch Week to the region March 23 - 31. Newport events, Lincoln City events, Pacific City events, Rockaway Beach events, events, Seaside events, Astoria events, south coast events, Florence events
Weather Tips and Quirky Science Finds for Oregon Coast Spring Break
Things that glow, packing for fun, whales, more
Southern Resident Orcas Off Oregon Coast Designated as Endangered Under State...
Only 76 of this type of killer whale left in the region. Marine sciences
Extremely Rare Fin Whale Strands on Oregon Coast: Attacked by Orcas, Stuck in...
Further updates on fin whale. Sciences
Romance of the South Oregon Coast: From Sand to Soaring Clifftops
The wooing and wowing at Bandon, Coos Bay, Gold Beach, Brookings, Reedsport. Travel tips
Oregon Coast Fin Whale Update: Sick, Weathered Orca Attack, Fishing Gear
A rare find, attacked by orcas, fishing gear, and very sick. Marine sciences
UPDATED: A Rare Stranding on Oregon Coast, Fin Whale Washes Up Near Seaside
About 40 feet, it washed up at Gearhart
Road Near Newport Buckles, Crews Now Working on Oregon Coast Highway That's S...
It recently buckled severely about milepost 133. Travel tips, weather
Lincoln City Quickly Explained: Zipping Through Central Oregon Coast Town's B...
From south to north through accesses. Roads end, Taft, Siletz Bay, travel tips
Biggest, Wildest Oregon Coast News Stories of 2023: Whales, Cougars, Shipwrec...
Kiwanda self-destruction, killer whales, space, new sand phenomena, viral shark. Weather
In the Throes of Oregon Coast Whale Watch Week, Why Whales Are Harder to Spot...
But the payoff is you get to witness gnarly breakers. Marine sciences
Winter Whale Watch Week 2023 - Not Just Grays on Oregon Coast
December 27 through December 31 at 15 spots. South coast events, Florence events, Newport events, Lincoln City events, Pacific City events, Rockaway Beach events, events, Seaside events, Astoria events

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted

Oregon Coast Lodging
Rentals
Specials

Dining

Events Calendar

Oregon Coast Weather

Travel News

Search for Oregon Coast Subjects, Articles

Virtual Tours, Maps
Deep Details