Mega-quake Drill to Be ‘as Prepared as We Can’

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says the Northwest needs to be "as prepared as we can be" for a devastating earthquake as a multi-day earthquake and tsunami drill began throughout the region.

Inslee was joined by Major General Bret Daugherty, commander of the Washington National Guard, and FEMA Region X Administrator Ken Murphy at a news conference Tuesday.

Inslee, standing in front of military and other federal vehicles brought into Camp Murray for the exercise, called the event a "remarkable partnership."

Inslee said that the region needs to be ready for the inevitability of a strong earthquake that could have devastating effects. He said "at some point in the future, we hope in our distant future, it will strike in our beautiful region."

By running through the scenarios well in advance, he said the state can better prepare and identify potential weaknesses.