Public Safety · Humboldt County
Cascadia Quake Preparedness Exercise Tests North Coast Supply Distribution
Local emergency personnel from Del Norte and Humboldt counties, joined by Cal OES and federal representatives, met Wednesday at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds for the 2026 Cascadia Surge tabletop exercise. The scenario simulated a magnitude 9 earthquake on the Cascadia Fault and resulting tsunami affecting 78,100 survivors across the North Coast. Participants worked through air bridge, maritime, and ground-phase supply distribution challenges after all major highways were knocked out in the simulation. Cal OES program manager Russ Eads designed the sixth edition of the exercise, which previously focused on maritime operations.