Many Of Oregon's Schools, Hospitals And Fire Stations At Tsunami Risk

"About a third of all schools, hospitals and fire stations along the Oregon coast are in the tsunami zone. That is, they'd likely be washed away in the event of a massive earthquake and tsunami. There are similar fears in Northern California and Washington State. Seismologists say there is a 37 percent chance of a major quake in the Pacific Northwest in the next 50 years - the kind of quake that hit Japan in 2011. Despite the warning, preparations along the coast are weak. As Kristian Foden-Vencil of Oregon Public Broadcasting reports, one town is even building a new hospital well within reach of a tsunami."

Kristian Foden-Vencil reports for NPR's All Thngs Considered February 26, 2015.