Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria, Oregon, is constructing an elevated tsunami shelter to protect nearly 2,000 people during potential natural disasters, as existing facilities are vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis. Emergency managers emphasize the need for more such shelters along Oregon’s coast, particularly after the cancellation of a $14 million FEMA grant program by the Trump administration. Despite funding uncertainties, hospital leaders are committed to the project due to the imminent risks posed by the Cascadia Subduction Zone. A recent court ruling reinstated the grant program, highlighting the ongoing debate over disaster preparedness funding.
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