Tag Archives: Risk Assessment

Guest Column: Astoria Bridge likely wouldn’t survive major ship strike

The Astoria Bridge near the mouth of the Columbia River is as well-protected as any span against ship collisions, but it’s not likely to withstand an impact like the one that brought down a similar span in Baltimore in March. Reduced risk doesn’t mean no risk, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation, which maintains […]
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Portland Residents Demand Action to Avoid Toxic Catastrophe Along the Willamette River

More than 90% of all liquid fuel in Oregon is contained in aging tanks at the six-mile long Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub on the west shore of the Willamette River, and residents of Portland are demanding action to avoid a potential toxic catastrophe. The CEI Hub storage tanks hold all jet fuel for Portland […]
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How Oregon is mapping wildfire hazards – OPB’s Think Out Loud

The state is taking another crack at a wildfire hazard map. The state is taking another crack at a wildfire hazard map that outlines areas where fire resources should be prioritized. The first attempt was withdrawn in 2022 after public outcry. As the latest map is drafted, the state continues to seek public feedback. In […]
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Disaster disparities in the West

The risk of climate catastrophe is complex, but people of color often face ‘unnatural hazards.’ In late January, an atmospheric river tore through Southern California, bringing torrential rain and floods. Pictures of a swollen Los Angeles river dominated headlines, and the storm caused billions of dollars in damages. Now, another storm is hammering the already-waterlogged […]
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New Oregon law forbids use of fire risk map in insurance company decisions

It was a map, just a map. But oh, the uproar it produced among Oregon landowners. The state Department of Forestry put the map out, showing zones of wildfire risk all over the state. Landowners were livid, some of them thinking the map would be used to set fire insurance rates, or deny coverage outright. […]
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Are Cannabis Edibles Safer Than Smoking?

State Library Ed. Note: If you cannot access this story directly from the source, state employees can access this New York Times story HERE via the State Library’s subscription to the US Newstream database. Alternatively, state employees can contact us for access: LibraryHelp.SLO@slo.oregon.gov or 503-378-8800.

OR earthquake: Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake turns 324

January 26, 2024, marks the 324th anniversary of the last Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake — a massive magnitude 9 quake spanning Northern California to British Columbia. With Cascadia earthquakes expected every 300-500 years, researchers are using geographic clues from the ancient quake to prepare for the next tremor. Source: OR earthquake: Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake […]
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Most states could see earthquake damage in the next century. See those at most risk 

State Library Ed. Note: If you cannot access this story via the link below, state employees can access this Washington Post story HERE via the State Library’s subscription to the US Newstream database. Alternatively, state employees can contact us for access: LibraryHelp.SLO@slo.oregon.gov or 503-378-8800. The damage could be anywhere from a crack in a building to a full collapse. Nearly three-quarters […]
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More U.S. homes are repeatedly flooding as the nation’s flood risk grows

  State Library Ed. Note: If you cannot access this story via the link below, state employees can access this Washington Post story HERE via the State Library’s subscription to the US Newstream database. Alternatively, state employees can contact us for access: LibraryHelp.SLO@slo.oregon.gov or 503-378-8800. ‘What we are seeing is flooding is increasing faster than we are mitigating our risk,’ one […]
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4 ways AI can help with climate change, from detecting methane to preventing fires

Lots of industries have embraced artificial intelligence as a tool this past year, including climate solutions companies. From detecting pollution to wildfires, companies are finding AI can help translate vast amounts of climate-related data faster and more efficiently, says Sasha Luccioni, climate lead for AI company Hugging Face. Luccioni notes it’s important to be cautious […]
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