The East Pierce Interlocal Coalition Emergency Management Team, surrounding school districts (Puyallup, Sumner-Bonney Lake, Orting, White River, Carbonado), and partners are coordinating a full-scale lahar evacuation drill. The drill is designed to test and improve the ability to evacuate students and staff in the event of an incoming lahar from Mount Rainier. The exercise is scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 21, 2024. All plans and procedures emphasize the safety of participants.

During the exercise, the Cities of Puyallup, Bonney Lake, and Buckley Emergency Operations Centers will be activated to assure the safe movement of students and staff from over 50 facilities, receive communications from the field, and communicate with multiple partners.

For more information, please visit Regional Lahar Evacuation Drill | City of Puyallup – 2024 Regional Lahar Evacuation Drill (laharexercise.com).

USGS will be hosting a public community event at the Puyallup Library March 18th, 2024 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, to answer questions about Mt. Rainier, Lahars, and School Lahar Drills.