Portland Buildings Are Not Ready for a Major Earthquake

Portland is at risk of a major earthquake that could cause widespread damage and casualties. Many public buildings, such as schools, hospitals, and churches, remain vulnerable because they are unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings or were built before Portland’s seismic code updates in 1993. These buildings are vulnerable to collapse or severe damage in the event of an earthquake, putting the lives of thousands of people at risk.

We cannot afford to wait any longer. Seismic retrofits in Portland are critical to prevent collapse, save lives, and protect our economy. We need to act now and demand that the city council adopts and implements the recommendations made by the Seismic Retrofit Project Advisory Committee. These recommendations target critical structures for the most extensive retrofits to be completed as soon as possible. This will not only save lives, but also preserve our cultural heritage and economic vitality.

Below you will find the latest efforts to develop policies to mitigate hazards from damaged buildings that threaten this great city.