Erik Thorsen, CEO of Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria, Ore., stands on the hospital roof overlooking the construction. The project, designed to fortify the building in the event of an earthquake and provide shelter during a tsunami, is proceeding — even without funds promised from the federal government.
Jay Fram for NPR
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Jay Fram for NPR
Eight years ago, Erik Thorsen — CEO of Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria, Ore. — received a warning that no hospital administrator wants to hear: A big earthquake could cause his hospital’s building to collapse. His staff and his patients could die in a matter of moments.
“They basically said, ‘None of you are prepared for a major natural disaster from the Cascadia subduction zone,'” recalls Thorsen.
The Cascadia subduction zone is an earthquake-prone region that stretches about 700 miles from California to British Columbia. Thorsen’s hospital sits right along it — which is why a team of experts and engineers from the state had come to talk to him and other leaders from coastal hospitals about earthquake risk.
Alarmed, Thorsen — who grew up in this area, left for college, and then returned to raise his family here — got to work fundraising and planning in order to fortify his hospital to withstand an earthquake and provide shelter during a tsunami.
A critical part of the project’s $300 million budget was to come from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Their $14 million grant would help to build a tsunami evacuation zone in the hospital.
But in April, the Trump administration canceled the grant program that awarded the funding, called Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. A report from the Urban Institute estimates this cancellation jeopardizes over $3 billion nationally in hazard mitigation funds to protect communities from threats like floods, wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes.
When the news reached Astoria, construction plans were already well under way.
“We did go back to the design team and say, ‘What would it take to actually take these elements out?'” says Mark Kujala, a Clatsop County commissioner who worked on fundraising for the project. “And because it’s so integrated into the project, that just wasn’t feasible.”
The hospital broke ground in September.
Currently, there is no plan in place to fill the $14 million gap left by FEMA, as they have been unresponsive due to the shutdown. Columbia Memorial Hospital, located in a high-risk earthquake zone, faces the risk of collapse in the event of an earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The hospital lacks a plan for evacuating critically ill patients to safety in case of a disaster. Experts warn that Oregon is unprepared for a potential magnitude 9 earthquake, which could result in thousands of deaths. With only three hospitals in the region, Columbia Memorial Hospital aims to become a critical lifeline for the 60,000 residents it serves by expanding to a taller, more resilient structure.
The vertical evacuation zone is a concept designed to provide a safe gathering place for people in the event of a tsunami following an earthquake. Specifically built on the top floors of a building that can withstand a tsunami, this area serves as a refuge once the earthquake has ceased. The idea is to prevent potential disasters by creating a secure space for individuals to seek shelter and safety.
Hospital leadership is exploring alternative funding sources creatively, as they have not been able to secure the $14 million promised by the federal government. Van Dusen proudly displays the framed EKG from that memorable event, emphasizing the importance of keeping the hospital operational during natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. He strongly believes that securing funding for this purpose is essential, contrary to the notion of wasteful spending.
“It infuriates me to think that funding could be taken away,” Van Dusen expresses his frustration. He highlights that the sentiment is shared by many in the community, irrespective of their political affiliations. “Every Republican I’ve spoken to is outraged by what’s unfolding,” he adds.
Despite the challenges posed by the withdrawal of federal funding, Hospital CEO Erik Thorsen remains determined to see the construction through. He underscores the commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community members.
Thorsen acknowledges the uncertainty of the future without federal support but remains optimistic about finding alternative financing solutions. The hospital’s dedication to its patients and residents remains unwavering, reflecting a deep-rooted sense of responsibility towards the community.
As the hospital forges ahead with construction efforts, the path forward may be unclear without federal assistance. However, the resilience and determination of the hospital staff and community members signal a collective effort to overcome obstacles and prioritize the safety and care of those they serve. sentence: Please do not forget to bring your ID to the event.
