Jackson County will test the Citizen Alert system Thursday. [File photo]
Jackson County will test the Citizen Alert system Thursday as part of a statewide earthquake preparedness event.
Residents who are registered with Citizen Alert will receive a test alert between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The alerts will come via phone call, text and/or email based on information residents have listed in their Citizen Alert accounts.
To sign up for Citizen Alert, visit jacksoncountyor.org/emergency/Resources/Citizen-Alert.
The alerts will go out as part of Thursday’s Great Oregon ShakeOut emergency preparation event.
Jackson County Emergency Management encourages residents to prepare by doing things like signing up for Citizen Alert, forming a plan for safety before an earthquake happens and learning what to do if one does occur.
“Earthquakes are rare in Southern Oregon, but being ready and having a plan are essential for keeping you and your loved ones safe,” said Jackson County Emergency Manager Holly Powers.
Although most earthquakes in Jackson County are minor, the Pacific Northwest could experience a catastrophic Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake from the strain building up as one tectonic plate tries to slide beneath another.
Historic buildings in places like Medford and Jacksonville would likely collapse, and affected areas could have damaged roads and bridges plus no power, running water or working sewer systems, scientists warn.
For information on preparing for an earthquake, see shakeout.org/oregon.