Portland Earthquake: City Considers Warning Signs On Buildings

PORTLAND, OR – The question of whether Portland and the surrounding area will have a very large earthquake is pretty much moot. The question is really, when will it happen?

Because of the apparent inevitability, city officials are taking various steps to help get people ready.

The latest is a proposal before the city council requiring warning signs on buildings that could be considered unsafe. Get all the latest information on what's happening in your community by signing up for Patch's newsletters and breaking news alerts.

Portland has more than 1,500 brick buildings that are considered at risk of collapse in a large earthquake.

As a result, the city wants those buildings to carry signs saying that, "Tjis is an unreinforced masonry buildings. Unreinforced masonry buildings may be unsafe in the event of a major earthquake."

The signs would have to be at least eight by ten inches and written in a large-sized type.

Officials say that the smarter plan would be to require buildings to be retrofitted but with the cost to many being prohibitive, they see the signs as a good step along the way.

Most property owners will have one year to get the signs up – the city will have to out many up themselves as much city property remains vulnerable – while nonprofits such as churches will have two years to post the signs.

The city maintains an interactive online map that allows you to check if a building is made of unreinforced masonry.

The council is expected to vote on the proposal next week.

Photo of Portland City Hall via Colin Miner/Patch.