PORT ANGELES, Wash. — Clallam County's emergency management center was quiet Wednesday, but people there know it's always calm before a storm.
"It's hard to get people to take it seriously," said emergency management program coordinator Anne Chastain. "This is something that could be absolutely devastating."
Scientists know a major earthquake will happen in our area at some point. When that will be, nobody can predict.
But we all need to be prepared.
"People don't want to think about the bad things," adds coordinator Justine Chorley. "They don't want to acknowledge this is gonna happen. It can be a bit overwhelming for people."
Emergency planners say only 20% of us are fully prepared for a disaster. It can be expensive and time-consuming.
Now, though, there is a plan to make it much easier.
As we settle into the new year, emergency responders in Clallam County and across western Washington are making readiness more manageable.
They've launched a program outlining simple steps to prepare for the worst over the next 12 months.
They're asking people to take on one task per month -- from setting up a communications plan with your family to ensuring you have at least two weeks of food on hand. Four weeks is recommended in rural areas.
"Sitting down before the event and trying to plan all those what-ifs ahead of time is what we're trying to get people to do, and try to guide them through that process and how to make that happen," said Chastain.
If your family is ready for a major disaster -- the lesser ones will be easier to deal with -- like our annual floods or the 2 feet of snow much of Clallam County got in one day back in 2019.
"Once you start doing things and get into the habit, it just becomes second nature," said Chastain.
Consider it a post-Christmas wish list that will keep your family safe.
"The big one might not happen in your lifetime, or it could happen tomorrow. The level of devastation is gonna be the same," said Chastain.