About

About Thunder Run

Thunder Run is an exercise to demonstrate the impact general aviation can have in emergency response. It is a part of the Northwest EVAC (Emergency Volunteer Air Corps) which in turn is part of the national EVAC Emergency Volunteer Air Corps.

Since 2009, volunteer pilots in the Northwest, along with emergency services resources, have been organizing to utilize general aviation when the expected Cascadia Subduction Zone great earthquake occurs, along with a likely great tsunami.  In addition, the area has a number of active volcanoes which could also cause widespread destruction.

Emergency Volunteer Air Corps (EVAC) is a nationwide effort to promote and coordinates effective and useful additional General Aviation volunteer participation in emergency relief efforts, especially following disasters.  As EVAC’s Northwest Region Emergency Services Director, Sky Terry has driven the Northwest EVAC to include robust number of participants from across the region, including adding water based aviation to the mix.

Sky, along with others, have developed relationships bringing together statewide aviation and emergency service agencies, several pilot organizations, and local authorities to work in mutual support of this effort in Washington State and also to spread the program to other states.

For the 2026 exercise, Ross Comer is leading Thunder Run. Ross has participated in past Thunder Runs as both a pilot and ground crew and is an active volunteer in Angel Flight West, STEM Flights, and EAA Young Eagles.