What if...it's Seattle and Washington State?

The ravaged Gulf Coast that Hurricane Katrina has left behind has soberly reminded us of the danger that we also face from a potential earthquake. The P-I and Times both have stories this morning about our need for emergency preparedness and the threat we face.

The first is P-I's "Seattle's readiness for disaster in doubt":

Experts say Seattle has a New Orleans-sized risk of natural disaster from an earthquake, and also shares the tendency by officials to put off taking actions that could reduce loss of life and economic disruption.

The second is a story from the Seattle Times, "Planners: What if 520 span were lost?":

While standards now call for bridges to withstand winds stronger than 90 mph, the 42-year-old [SR 520] span must be closed whenever winds whipping across Lake Washington top 57 mph. There's a 1-in-20 chance the hollow columns that support its approach spans could collapse in an earthquake.

Both are good reads and an excellent reminder that we have a lot of work to do to invest in emergency preparedness and solid infrastructure. There's no better reason to vote NO on Initiative 912.