EWEB and Community Partners Bring Earthquake Science and Preparedness to Eugene
Experts from the University of Oregon and the EWEB present about earthquake science and preparedness at the Eugene Family YMCA.
Eugene, Ore., October 20, 2026 – The Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) and the Eugene Family YMCA invite reporters to the fourth presentation of Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake: The Science & How to Prepare.
- WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 10:00 a.m.
- WHERE: Eugene Family YMCA at 600 E. 24th Ave., Eugene, OR 97405
- SPEAKERS: Diego Melgar, Director of the UO’s Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT) and Jenny Demaris, EWEB Emergency Management Specialist
More than 110 people attended EWEB's Pledge to Prepare sessions last January, and this fall's five Cascadia presentations have seen interest from 196 people (registered and waitlisted).
More Information
Resiliency is a key component of EWEB’s infrastructure, systems, and people. Maintaining reliable electric and water services for our community, especially during an emergency like an earthquake, is crucial.
That’s why EWEB is investing in community resources like emergency water stations, upgrading infrastructure like substations to modern seismic standards, and pursuing a second water treatment plant on the Willamette River. It’s not if a natural disaster occurs, but when. How will EWEB and our community be ready?
The Cascadia Subduction Zone is capable of a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and Eugene could experience strong shaking from smaller earthquakes. The magnitude of this earthquake and the accompanying tsunami pose significant challenges to the entire Pacific Northwest. Community lifelines will be impacted. Utilities such as electricity, drinking water, and sewer services may be significantly impacted.
Understanding what to expect during an earthquake is critical for response, recovery, and whole community preparedness. That’s why EWEB, in association with CRESCENT, has partnered to break down the complexities of understanding and preparing for a seismic emergency. We are also partnering with the Eugene Family YMCA to bring this presentation directly to the Eugene community at their facility.
The Eugene community is hungry for information on preparedness information, especially about a looming threat like the Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake. EWEB and partnerscoordinated five courses offered at the YMCA, filled them all, and now have a waitlist.
“The Science and How to Prepare presentation complements the work of our local and regional emergency management partners by reinforcing the importance of individual and household preparedness,” said EWEB Emergency Management Specialist Jenny Demaris. “The more we help our customers and community members become prepared and resilient, the stronger and more resilient our entire community — and EWEB — becomes.”
The Eugene Family YMCA has made community resilience an important part of its commitment to strengthening the Eugene community. Built to rigorous seismic standards, the Y's Don Stathos Campus includes emergency power capabilities and a commercial kitchen, positioning the facility to support community needs during a disaster.
The Y also partners with EWEB on the nearby Amazon Park Emergency Water Station, which can provide drinking water to community members when regular water service is disrupted. Through free educational programs, preparedness events and community partnerships, the Y continues to help individuals and families build the knowledge, connections and confidence to prepare for emergencies.
“At the Eugene Family YMCA, we believe a strong community is one comprised of individuals who look out for one another, especially in times of crisis,” said Brian Steffen, CEO of the Eugene Family YMCA. “When we built our new Y, we made a commitment to be a resource our community could count on, including during emergencies. Our partnership with EWEB reflects that commitment, bringing together the infrastructure, expertise and relationships that help our neighbors prepare for the unexpected. The tremendous interest in these presentations reminds us that people want to be prepared, and that we are stronger when we prepare together.”
What to Expect from the Session
Representatives from the UO’s Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center and Earth Science Department will present:
- History of earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone
- Why recurrence is likely
- What an earthquake will feel like in the Eugene Metro area
- What impacts are likely to affect the Eugene Metro area
EWEB Emergency Management Specialist Jenny Demaris will introduce the concept of being two weeks ready for a disaster using EWEB’s Pledge to Prepare program.
Media Contacts:
Beth Casper
Chief Strategy Officer
Eugene Family YMCA
(541) 686-9622 ext. 1403
(503) 302-8776 (mobile)
beth@eugeneymca.org
Aaron Orlowski
Communications Specialist
Eugene Water & Electric Board
(541) 685-7364
aaron.orlowski@eweb.org
About the Eugene Family YMCA
The Eugene Family YMCA is one of the region's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Each year across Lane County, the Y engages thousands of people regardless of age, gender, income or background—to nurture the potential of children, teens and seniors; improve health and well-being; and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The YMCA has been serving the Eugene area since 1887.
About the Eugene Water & Electric Board
The Eugene Water & Electric Board is Oregon's largest customer-owned utility. Founded in 1911, EWEB provides water and electricity to approximately 98,000 customers in the Eugene-Springfield area. EWEB’s service area covers 73 square miles with a population of more than 200,000 people, including major institutions such as the University of Oregon. A five-member elected Board of Commissioners governs the utility, which does not operate to earn a profit or to serve the investment needs of stockholders. Employing approximately 600 people, EWEB serves the people of Eugene by embodying core values of safety, reliability, affordability, environmental responsibility and community/culture. EWEB owns four energy generation facilities, including hydroelectric projects on the McKenzie and Clackamas Rivers, and leads watershed protection measures with local landowners and environmental organizations. With one of the greenest energy supplies in the nation, approximately 90% of EWEB’s power comes from carbon-free sources, and EWEB is committed to achieving a 95% carbon-free energy portfolio by 2030.
