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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 23, 2015)
October 23, 2015 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com • 9A Vulnerable bridges gain attention from city Tsunami threat requires bridge replacement By Dani Palmer Cannon Beach Gazette Bent over maps during a work session Oct. 15, Cannon Beach Emergen- cy Preparedness Commit- tee members and Public Works Director Dan Grass- LFNZRUNHGRQ¿JXULQJRXW which option would be best for ensuring safe crossing at the north end of town in case of an earthquake and tsunami. Because of the likeli- hood of a bridge collapse over Ecola Creek, the city’s evacuation map guides res- idents and visitors south, toward midtown. It’s a lon- ger route that could eat up valuable time, Committee Vice Chairman Les Wier- son said. OBEC Consulting En- gineers conducted a bridge study in 2011, warning the Fir Street bridge at Ecola Creek is “vulnerable to fail- ure” even in a “relatively small earthquake” because of its age and construction. “Saving lives is my top priority,” Committee Chair- CANNON BEACH HISTORY CENTER/SUBMITTED PHOTO A bridge is out during the 1964 tsunami. woman Karolyn Adamson said. The committee took a closer look at the options, which are replacing the cur- UHQW WUDI¿F EULGJH RU EXLOG ing a pedestrian bridge ei- ther nearby or in a different location. Whatever the commit- tee decides, Grassick said, 75-foot-deep piling would likely be needed because of sand liquefaction. The committee focused on pedestrian alternatives as they’re the most affordable, and leaned toward a bridge over Ecola Creek near Ne- Cus’ Park. It would actually be two bridges meeting on a small island in the creek, providing solid ground to build on. A nearby option would require more costly permits WRÀRDWHTXLSPHQWGRZQWKH creek, Grassick said. The third pedestrian op- tion would lead people up Second Street before hitting a trail yet-to-be-built con- necting to Highway 101. According to the 2011 study, replacement of the existing bridge would cost Stickers, new signs provide crucial info route maps last year and is working on deploying them now. They’ve been revised with 2013 Oregon Depart- ment of Geology and Min- HUDO,QGXVWULHVÀRRGKD]DUG study information. The revisions are minor, but take some areas out of the hazard zone. They’re not based on “exact or hard science,” though, Grass- ick added. Tsunami waves could be larger than pre- dicted. “You get as high and far as you can,” he said. “Don’t stop running. The further you can get from the beach, the better and safer you’re going to be.” In Tolovana Park, city staff have added four new signs to beach accesses since last fall, along with upgraded staircases. Those evacuation route maps aren’t only useful in case of an emergency, but add a level of convenience for tourists and new resi- dents. “A lot of people use the maps for getting around town,” Grassick said with a chuckle. All 10 Cannon Beach tsunami evacuation pedes- trian route maps have been updated based on the latest information from the state By Dani Palmer EO Media Group In a coastal community like Cannon Beach, know- ing where you are is imper- ative in case of an earth- quake or tsunami. For most residents, that isn’t a problem. But for the thousands of visitors who swarm the coast each year, it’s good information. Throughout Clatsop County, local agencies have been adding new signs or stickers to existing signage pointing out “You are here.” Cannon Beach Public Works Director Dan Gras- sick said the city has made reference to landmark Hay- stack Rock in some of its maps to help visitors out. Michaela Jackson, a visitor to the coast from Denver, said she’s heard about Oregon’s earthquake threat, but wouldn’t know where to go. “I think a lot of people would just book it for the hills or follow the crowd,” she said. “Some probably wouldn’t even realize the danger at all. I think the maps are a good thing to pay attention to.” Cannon Beach began updating its evacuation how to see abusive patterns they will be better prepared for current and future re- lationships. The program “Help Ending Abusive Relationship Tendencies” covers subjects related to the effects of domestic vi- olence on children, parents Chief Balzer removed due to ‘personnel matter’ Balzer from Page 1A Cannon Beach to raise their three daughters. He was a building contractor until 1999 before working for the police department for more than a decade. +H ZDV VZRUQ LQ DV ¿UH chief in February 2012, taking over from Cleve Rooper, who had served as chief since 1989. Balzer led the district WKURXJKZLOG¿UHVPDGHGH FLVLRQV UHJDUGLQJ ¿UH FOR sures over severe drought seasons and served on the Cannon Beach Emergency Preparedness Committee. His department responded WRD-XO\¿UHWKDWWRWDOO\ destroyed the Bistro Restau- rant and Bar. Under his and the Or- egon Department of For- estry’s direction, the city of Cannon Beach closed Ecola Creek Forest Reserve because of the dry weather around the Fourth of July. He brought new equipment to the district, including a ¿UHWUXFNDQGSDUWLFLSDWHGLQ volunteer events such as De- cember’s American Legion holiday toy and food drive. Dining on the North Coast DANI PALMER/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE New stickers show the Haystack Rock icon to guide people in an emergency. of Oregon. These maps can be downloaded from the city webpage, www.ci.can- non-beach.or.us/communi- ty/evacuationmaps. They may also be purchased at Copies and Fax, 171 Sunset Blvd., for a nominal cost. Harbor classes teach how domestic violence aff ects us all Every Wednesday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. at The Harbor, 1361 Duane St. in Astoria, offers a 10-week class start- ing Oct. 21. Domestic violence af- fects everyone residing in a household and if victims of domestic violence can learn $4.8 million while a 6-foot- wide pedestrian bridge could cost up to $1.6 million. If Cannon Beach does go with a pedestrian bridge, Grassick said, there are the options of a suspension or truss bridge. The latter would more likely sur- vive, he added, as cables can break with suspension bridges. Wierson again suggest- ed taking a closer look at Washington County’s bridge standards as they are designed to withstand earth- quakes. “The structural aspect is big,” Grassick said. He add- ed the bridge would need to be at least 10 feet wide with 1,000 people crossing it. An Oregon State Univer- sity engineering professor made computer models of potential evacuation routes in the city in 2011, esti- mating at least 1,080 peo- ple would head toward the bridge on a typical summer day after an earthquake. Grassick said there are a number of ways to fund the bridge, including grants such as the Predisaster Mit- igation Grant, sharing costs with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Connect Oregon grant. Committee members agreed they would seek a bond measure if grants don’t provide the money needed. “To do this project, to get D ¿QDO GHVLJQ DQ LQGHSWK geotech study needs to be done,” Grassick added. The committee will have to go through the City Coun- cil before taking any further steps. The topic could be re- viewed this month. and other family members. Members discuss the dy- namics of power and con- trol and how to recognize UHG ÀDJV &DOO -XOL +RO WR reserve a spot at 503-325- 3426, ext.103; toll-free cri- sis line, 877-770-5735. 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