The 8.9 earthquake in Japan last night and resulting tsunami had the Oregon coastal area on high alert over the past 12 hours. In fact some coastal areas were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Experts say it's just a matter of time before Oregon is hit by a major earthquake and tsunami. How will this affect Central Oregon? Marty Betsch, Emergency Services Coordinator with St. Charles says, our area could be the safety net for people west of the Cascades: "How that will affect Central Oregon is the mass humanity that will potentially come over. We’re not going to feel it much when it comes to the tremors. What we might feel is a few building that aren't quite built for earthquakes, might lose a couple of bricks." Betsch says residents from the central coast will be instructed to head in our direction for shelter. That would mean hotels, schools, or even the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Fairgrounds could be deployed as shelter areas. In fact, emergency authorities have asked that 1110 K-BEND be the point of contact for travelers should a major evacuation occur.