The Thunder Run earthquake drill in the Pacific Northwest on June 18, 2022, featured a first: It was the first time a seaplane participated in the annual drill to prepare for a devastating earthquake.
According to Sky Terry, Northwest Regional Emergency Services Director for the Emergency Volunteer Air Corps (EVAC), this was a first not just for the Pacific Northwest drills, but for the Emergency Volunteer Air Corps.
The pilot flew into Point Roberts, where first responders and other volunteers unloaded the airplane of its cargo of food for area food banks. Collecting food and distributing it to food banks around the region was added to the drills in 2015.
Delivering food, including loading and unloading the airplanes, is a great way to simulate bringing aid to areas impacted by an earthquake or other natural disaster.
Having seaplanes involved in the drill just make sense for the area, Terry said, noting there are so many in the area.
When devastating floods hit Whatcom County in November 2021, airstrips throughout the region were covered in water. The only way to get emergency supplies in — and people out — was by helicopters landing in parking lots and other non-airport areas.
Terry also noted that three General Aviation News readers joined the ranks of pilots participating in the drill after reading our May 2022 story, General aviation preps for when the big one hits.
He noted more pilots may have wanted to participate in the drill after reading the story, but many flights were scrubbed due to the weather.
Having “truly nasty weather” during the day-long drill was actually a benefit, he added, noting that it better prepares pilots and volunteers for the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, as it’s not likely that “perfect weather conditions” will exist for those flights.
Read more about the Thunder Run drill here — and remember this is an annual event, so start thinking now how you might be able to participate next year if you are in the area.
Pilots and their airplanes are essential, but other volunteers are needed to coordinate operations, load and unload food from airplanes, and more.