FEMA Shakeout event date scheduled

FEMA news

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and partnering agencies and organizations are encouraging everyone to participate in this year’s Great Central U.S. Shakeout on February 7. As Midwesterners we typically do not think about our lives being affected by an earthquake.  But communities along portions of the Mississippi River Valley region are vulnerable and at risk of experiencing an earthquake.

“Earthquakes occur without warning. You could be at home, at work, at school or even on vacation when an earthquake strikes,” said FEMA Region V Regional Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Knowing the steps to take before, during and after an earthquake will save lives.”

“The FEMA regional administrator urges area residents to join his agency on Thursday, February 7, at 9:15 a.m. EST by participating in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut.”

Several of the largest historical earthquakes to strike the continental United States took place along the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ).  According to the U.S. Geological Survey; (USGS), on December 16, 1811, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck an area which is now the location of Memphis, Tenn.  The impact of this quake was felt as far away as Ohio and Washington, D.C.  By the time the final quake occurred on February 7, 1812, in the New Madrid, Missouri area, the ground shaking had forced sand to erupt to the surface, triggered landslides and caused some areas to be uplifted or dropped down in elevation. This zone remains a significant concern today.

With the growth in population and infrastructure along the NMSZ, another series of quakes similar to the 1811 earthquakes could prove catastrophic to the region.

The multi-state ShakeOut drill will help raise awareness to the earthquake risks we face living the Midwest. The drill also provides an opportunity to practice three recommended protective steps when an earthquake begins:  “Drop to the ground, take Cover and Hold On until the shaking stops”.

The drill will only take minutes but the valuable lessons learned will provide a lifetime of knowledge. Visit www.shakeout.org/centralus to register and learn what you and your family can do to be prepared.  You can also visit www.ready.gov for additional preparedness tips for all types of disasters.