Mount Hood Corridor to Test Emergency Readiness with ‘Great Escape’ Drill May 7 – 8

By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times

Residents of the Mt. Hood corridor will have a chance to test their emergency preparedness this month during a large-scale, two-day simulation known as the Great Escape Evacuation Drill, scheduled for May 7 – 8.

Organized by Clackamas County Disaster Management, the exercise is designed to evaluate how well communities along the Highway 26 corridor can respond to a fast-moving emergency scenario – and, importantly, how well they can communicate when traditional systems fail.

Officials emphasize one key point: this is only a drill.

“This is a test of systems, processes, and actions – not a real evacuation,” organizers stress, urging participants to help spread that message throughout the community.

The two-day exercise will unfold in stages. On May 7, participants will simulate a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) due to high wildfire danger in the Mt. Hood National Forest. The following day, May 8, the scenario escalates to a wildfire event driven by high winds, prompting simulated evacuations and shelter operations in areas including Welches and Sandy.

Jonathan Lewis, Disaster Coordinator for the Clackamas County Disaster Management Office recently met with residents to walk through the exercise and answer questions about how to participate. The March 26 presentation, held at Mt Hood RV Village, drew 68 attendees and reflected strong local interest in emergency preparedness.

“The sense of community in the room was clear,” organizers noted, highlighting thoughtful discussion around gaps in communication and outreach. Among the concerns raised were how to reach short-term rental visitors during emergencies, the need for more reliable alert systems – including satellite options – and ways to better engage neighbors in preparedness efforts.

The drill will rely heavily on alternative communication methods, simulating conditions where power outages disrupt cell service and internet access. Volunteers will help test systems such as GMRS and amateur (ham) radio, NOAA weather radio broadcasts, and landline phone trees.

Local groups including the Hoodland Emergency Communications Network, Clackamas County Amateur Radio Emergency Services, and community CERT teams will coordinate efforts alongside public agencies.

Residents can participate in several ways. Volunteers may sign up to receive test emergency alerts via phone, email, or text and provide feedback on their effectiveness. Others can take part in a shelter simulation at Sandy High School, where participants will be assigned roles to act out real-world emergency situations alongside partner agencies such as the American Red Cross and medical response teams.

The exercise also aims to strengthen coordination between emergency organizations and improve communication links between mountain communities and County Disaster Management.

Organizers encourage anyone interested to get involved – whether by formally signing up for a role or simply by turning on their GMRS or ham radio during the exercise and participating in scheduled check-ins.

Presentation materials and additional sign-up information will be shared with local organizations, nonprofits, and neighborhood groups to help broaden participation.

For more information about emergency preparedness and to sign up for public alerts, visit the Clackamas County Disaster Management website or the Public Alerts system online.