An earthquake along the southern Whidbey Island fault zone means a maximum scenario of 7.4 magnitude on the Mercalli scale. This means cracking infrastructure, objects flying from walls and every standing person sideways, clasping ears and crawling for cover, and 2,000 to 6,000 people injured. In this situation, Island County will face more severe damage than that by the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

The Island County Department of Emergency Management discussed the county’s response to such a disaster during a “tabletop simulation exercise” with the county commissioners Wednesday. The discussion focused on communication methods and facility assessments. As time was cut short, the topic will likely be picked up at a later date.

“We’re here at work. Everybody’s working regular hours, and the ground shakes,” said Eric Brooks, Island County Emergency Management Deputy Director, at Wednesday’s work session. “From an Island County perspective, what’s our goals? What are our priorities? What kind of things are we worried about, and what do we want to do?”

Earthquakes are the most important natural disaster to prepare for, Brooks said. An earthquake has the potential to devastate the entire county — water, power and roadways gone in minutes. If officials are prepared for an earthquake, they are prepared for anything.

“You’re going to feel the damage throughout all of the county. It’s going to be excessive. It’s going to be violent. It’s going to be the kind where you can’t stand, and things are going to be falling down,” he said. “That’s the scenario we are working on.”

Most people are likely more familiar with the Richter scale, which measures the intensity of the earthquake at the epicenter. The Modified Mercalli scale instead accounts for proximity to the epicenter. So, the earthquake reaching 7.4 magnitude on Whidbey Island may reach a different number on Camano Island.

While Wednesday’s meeting merely started the conversation, the main points of concern were procedures for communication and facility checks. Communication needed the most attention, as today’s employees are used to immediate, convenient communication methods that likely won’t be available during such an earthquake.

After the Cascadia Subduction Zone quake and perhaps even the South Whidbey quake, surrounding counties are going to be overwhelmed and state resources will be there, said Commissioner Melanie Bacon.

Likely, no one will be able to cross Deception Pass, and residents must rely on local resources. Some parts of the island will be covered by water and need temporary fills just to get through.

Tsunami alarms are activated by underwater sensors, Brooks said, so a tidal wave caused by a landslide won’t trigger them.

“If you feel the ground shake, head to higher ground,” he said.

While facilities must be assessed for county employees to return to work to fix disasters across the county, this is a secondary concern, said Commissioner Jill Johnson. Personal safety comes first.

“I only care about assessing buildings enough to know if people are in or out,” she said.

The media response to lack of fire personnel during the 2023 Maui wildfires angered Johnson, she said, as firefighters’ houses were burning with their families inside.

“The expectation is they are firefighters first and humans second,” she said.

Another important aspect is the jail, Johnson said. County employees have evacuation routes, meeting points and plans of action — but who is getting the inmates out of the building?

“I feel confident we can assess our facilities,” she said. “I need to feel confident we can make sure our inmates are safe.”

Brooks proposed a policy of ensuring employee safety, allowing time to check on families and assess if they can return to work. County employees must then evaluate communication systems — if everything is down, they need an established meeting place.

The Oak Harbor Fire Department has been designated to set up the Emergency Operation Center, Brooks said.

Brooks is working toward officially designated response members as well as alternative communication methods during an emergency such as the Island County auxiliary radio team. They will acquire more go-boxes, alternate tools to send simple messages, and designate them to employees most in need. They will also bring on a new emergency manager, he said, who will focus first on employee training and next on community training.

The Island County Community Emergency Response Team is holding community training for earthquake and disaster preparedness and much more in March and April in Oak Harbor, South Whidbey and Camano Island.

Public Health Office Manager Melissa Overbury-Howland (left), Commissioner Melanie Bacon (back) and Board Clerk Jennifer Roll (right) tend to Chris Brooks during an earthquake demonstration at the commissioners meeting on Wednesday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)

Island County Planning Manager Michael Jones, at left, Health Director Shawn Morris (back) and Board Clerk Jennifer Roll, at right, carry an actor during an earthquake demonstration at the commissioners meeting on Wednesday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)