“The expansion of the coastal floodplain following a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake has not been previously quantified, and the impacts to land use could significantly increase the timeline to recovery.”
Some of the worst impacted areas would be southern Washington, northern Oregon, and northern California—regions with dense populations and limited access to inland evacuation.
This could increase demand for prenatal care in emergency shelters, hospital trauma centers, and telehealth wellness consultations for displaced patients.
If the devastating quake were to happen today, Dura and her team estimated that “14,350 residents, 22,500 structures, and 777 miles of roadway would fall within.
The post-earthquake floodplain,” sparking concerns about insurance claims processing, emergency legal representation, and reimbursement for healthcare expenses.
Preparing for Healthcare and Legal Fallout
The Cascadia subduction zone is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire — an area responsible for many of the world’s largest earthquakes and tsunamis.
