Regional Lahar Drill on March 21

Schools located in the Puyallup Valley will participate in a full-scale lahar evacuation exercise on Thursday, March 21.

What is the Lahar Drill Exercise?

The exercise is coordinated by the East Pierce Interlocal Coalition Emergency Management Team and is designed to test and improve the ability to evacuate students and staff in the event of an incoming lahar from Mount Rainier.

The Puyallup School District joins with the City of Puyallup, neighboring school districts, fire, police, and public agencies to practice evacuation and raise awareness in the event of a lahar emergency.

All schools will participate by either evacuating or sheltering in place, depending on their location in the valley or on the hill.

Schools Participating in Designated Emergency Evacuation Route

Elementary

• Karshner
• Maplewood
• Meeker
• Stewart
• Spinning
• Shaw Road

Secondary 

• Puyallup High School
• Walker High School 
• Aylen Junior High 
• Kalles Junior High 

Students will exit schools shortly after arrival on this day and will practice walking the designated emergency evacuation routes from the valley floor out of the lahar hazard area before turning back. In the interest of time, the practice evacuation will involve a modified rather than full evacuation route.

The exercise is expected to last about one hour.

Schools Participating in Shelter-in-Place Drill

Schools not located in the Puyallup Valley, will conduct shelter-in-place drills as part of emergency response efforts between 9 and 11 a.m.

Elementary

• Brouillet
• Carson
• Dessie Evans 
• Edgerton
• Firgrove
• Fruitland 
• Hunt
• Mt. View
• Northwood
• Pope
• Ridgecrest 
• Sunrise
• Waller Road 
• Wildwood
• Woodland 
• Zeiger

Secondary

• Ballou
• Edgemont
• Emerald Ridge
• Ferrucci
• Glacier View
• Puyallup Digital Learning
• Stahl
• Rogers

The goal is to gather all students and staff in a safe location and communicate the next steps in the real lahar situation.

Learn About Mt. Rainier

On Monday, March 18, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Puyallup Library, US Geological Survey Cascade Volcano Observatory scientists to present updated research and the latest and greatest on Mount Rainier.

We will continue to share additional information about this event as the date draws near.

For more information on a lahar response and offsite unification, check out our Emergency Information webpage.

Additional Resources

LaharExercise.com

Regional Lahar Evacuation Drill - City of Puyallup