Washington planning a second large-scale earthquake drill

SPOKANE, Wash.  — Geologists say it's only a matter of time before a large-scale earthquake hits Washington's Cascadia Subduction Zone.

KREM-TV reports the Washington Emergency Management Division has started initial planning for its second "Cascadia Rising," the region's largest disaster-scenario exercise, testing how local, state and federal agencies would respond if a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit along the Washington and Oregon coast.

The first Cascadia Rising exercise was held two years ago. Officials say the second will happen in four years.

Lit Dudley, the exercise and training section manager at the state Emergency Management Division, says the 2022 exercise will test the response of Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Idaho, as well as British Columbia, FEMA, Public Safety Canada and U.S. Northern Command.