Any word on the Eugene area
I believe that the Eugene/Springfield/Corvallis area will be subject to even more of the civil unrest problems than the rest of the valley due to the large number of naive youngsters being indoctrinated at the university. While you may find a safe area in the valley or towards the coast, I personally feel that east of the Cascades will be the safest place in Oregon after the "bio-solids" hit the fan.
The obvious problem is that the vast majority of economic activity takes place along the I-5 corridor so unless your wealthy or have the skills necessary to support yourself and family full time in Bend, Redmond etc. you're stuck in the valley. I plan to set up a retreat east of the Cascades as soon as I can afford to, then check out at least four different routes across. I don't have any choice except to try and time our exodus so I find it necessary (unfortunately) to pay very close attention to current events.
Bottom line is read Joel's book (Strategic relocation) and check out things for yourself.
Good luck, Duck
Thanks so much for your help, I have the book and its been alot of help. I chose Oregon mainly for the "fallout factor". I am also checking into the Hillsboro area, however I feel it may be a little to close to Portland for my taste.
I a leaving California and returning to Oregon, where I spent nearly a decade. I will be in SW Washington County, most likely in the Forest Grove area. I need to be in a Metro area for work, but want to own property far enough away from the immediate effects of a nuclear attack, so as to be survivable in the event I don't get my shelter in soon enough.
I have heard from friends in the U.S. Geological Survey that the earth's crust is rising in the Three Sisters-Bend-Sunriver-Newberry National Monument area. This means the Southern Cascade Mountains may soon cease being dormant volcanoes. Water, already a scarce commodity in the Oregon High Desert, could become undrinkable or diverted as the lava moves around. If I was heading for Eastern Oregon, I'd go to the old mining towns, the ghost towns or farther east of the Three Sisters area to Prineville but still near the Ochoco National Forest. One could find water and small game, but beware the fire dangers.
PJ Graves, why don't you contact me directly and let me know when you get to Oregon. Methinks it may be beneficial to know someone that is worried about the SHTF and is starting to prepare for such unpleasantness.