Earthquake prep meeting moved to Whatcom Middle School

Widespread interest in the risk of a major earthquake in the Northwest, and in how people should prepare, has prompted a local meeting on the subject to shift to a larger location.

The Volunteer Center of Whatcom County is organizing the community meeting on Saturday, Jan. 23. The meeting was originally to be held at Garden Street United Methodist Church, but an overwhelming response after a story in the Monday edition of The Bellingham Herald prompted the center to move the meeting to Whatcom Middle School, 810 Halleck St.

People should still register in advance for the free event by going online to WhatcomVolunteer.org/Disaster. The meeting will be 10 a.m. to noon, but people should arrive by 9 a.m. to check in. People will be given a wristband after they check in so they can depart and return for the 10 a.m. start.

At the meeting, experts will discuss the potential harm from a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the Northwest coast, and how people can prepare in advance.

In addition, people can learn about plans for a “Volunteer Mobilization Center” that would coordinate community members who volunteer to help after an earthquake. People at the meeting can sign up to help staff the mobilization center. Details: 360-734-3055.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Earthquake prep meeting moved to Whatcom Middle School."