45 years after Mount St. Helens: Are we ready for the next disaster?
Earlier this year, the Bellevue Chamber welcomed a panel of experts in emergency management, healthcare, and public policy for a timely Chamber Lunch conversation titled, “It’s a Disaster!”
Held 45 years after the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the event reflected on how far we’ve come in disaster preparedness, and also explored what challenges lie ahead as risks evolve.
Joining the conversation were Harold Tobin, Director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network at the University of Washington; Robert Ezelle, Executive Director of the Washington Emergency Management Division; Dave Upthegrove, Commissioner of Public Lands for Washington State; and Dr. David Zonies, Chief Medical Officer at Harborview Medical Center.
From earthquakes and wildfires to emergency healthcare and public infrastructure, the panel covered it all.
Understanding the Fault Lines: Why Earthquake Preparedness Matters More Than Ever
Harold Tobin opened the program with a sobering reminder: Washington faces real and varied earthquake threats.
“The fact is, we actually are at really substantial risk here in Washington State of damage from earthquakes,” he said.
He pointed to three primary risks. The most likely is another Nisqually-style quake, which has an 85 percent chance of hitting within the next 50 years, and the others are a rupture along the Seattle Fault, or a massive offshore event from the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Both could trigger widespread destruction and even a tsunami.
To make matters worse, federal estimates place Washington’s annual earthquake losses at $1.4 billion.
Tobin also spotlighted the ShakeAlert system, which has been active in Washington since 2021. The early warning tool sends alerts to phones, transit systems, hospitals, and schools within seconds of a quake’s initial tremors.
“It may only be a few seconds, but it is enough to step away from a hazard or brace yourself,” he explained.
Disaster Response & Public Communication Go Hand-in-Hand
During the panel, Robert Ezelle highlighted that disaster response looks different depending on the threat, which could mean an earthquake, flood, or wildfire.
For major events, the first step is still the simplest: “Drop, cover, and hold.” From there, local and state agencies coordinate closely with FEMA to assess and respond, and thus disseminate information to the public.
When it comes to more frequent events like seasonal flooding or smoke conditions, situational awareness becomes key. That means collecting data in real time and sharing it effectively with the public.
“Providing accurate, actionable information to individuals and communities when they’re in danger is absolutely crucial to life safety,” said Ezelle.
While Washington uses multiple alerting systems, many require residents to manually opt-in. So, Ezelle encouraged attendees to double-check with their local emergency management offices.
Wildfire Risk Is No Longer a Distant Threat
When given the chance to speak to the group, Commissioner Dave Upthegrove made it clear that wildfire risk is no longer confined to the other side of the mountains.
“For the first time, two years ago, we had more fire ignitions in Western Washington than in Eastern Washington,” he said.
A combination of climate change, changing weather patterns, and human-caused ignition means communities across King County and the Puget Sound region are increasingly at risk. To help, Upthegrove recommended resources like wildfireready.com, and the Department of Natural Resources’ preparedness guides, which offer practical advice for residents and businesses.
He also issued a call to action.
“Investments in these programs save us a lot of money,” he said. “One thing we can do to prepare is to participate civically and communicate the value of emergency management preparation and response.”
Healthcare at the Ready: Planning for More Than Just the Moment
Doubling down, Dr. David Zonies spoke to the unique pressures that disaster scenarios place on the healthcare system.
“It really comes down to training our personnel and being constantly on the ready,” he said.
At Harborview, that means planning to scale up operations fast, which includes doubling capacity in operating rooms and designing new facilities with built-in flexibility.
Dr. Zonies also emphasized that resilience isn’t a one-time checklist.
“The best way to prepare is to have a system in place that is constantly humming and running, because you don’t want to wait for the disaster to figure out how to get the work done.”
From earthquakes to wildfires to public health emergencies, one thing became clear during this Chamber Lunch ... Preparedness is not a destination, it’s a mindset. It requires year-round attention across science, government, infrastructure, and community networks.
We’re thankful to our speakers for taking the time to share their expertise with our members, and to our sponsors for making events like this possible. If you weren’t able to join us, now’s a great time to brush up on your emergency plan. Check out tools like MakeItThrough.org, or just take a second look at where your flashlight is stored.
Because whether the next disaster is five years away or five minutes away, a little preparation goes a long way.