BEND, OR -- Many Oregonians have been bracing for a big earthquake for years.  The Tower Theatre held a forum last night to help people prepare for such a disaster.  Lisa stroup with the local chapter of the American Red Cross says our part of the state will probably not be the hardest hit.  "We may be a refugee center for a lot of folks from Portland and the coast."  She says, "Central Oregon could have a lot of visitors so we need to be prepared.  We'll be without power for quite awhile and if it were to happen in the winter, we need to think about those things."  

Many experts predict a major earthquake will hit this state in the next 50 years.  Stroup says the risk is real, "It's realistic. The Governor has set up a council to look at it.  There's been a lot of science on it and they feel like its over due.  If you don't think it will happen, think about the little quake at Mt. Hood.  These are wake up calls.  There's nothing we can do to stop it if the earth wants to move, it'll move.  You can't stop Mother Nature, but you can be prepared."