COLUMBIA, MO (April 25, 2011) -

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the legendary earthquake along Missouri’s New Madrid Fault that occurred in 1811-12.  As part of the anniversary observance, a number of federal, state, and local emergency agencies will participate in the “Great Central U.S. Shakeout”. The April 28th exercise is an opportunity for those agencies, schools, businesses and families to map out a plan for earthquake disaster preparedness.

“Here in mid-Missouri we could see impact from an earthquake along the New Madrid fault in a number of ways,” says Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Zim Schwartze.  “While a significant quake in the New Madrid zone could produce some rumbling and damage in our area, the more noteworthy impact would be in the days and weeks after a major quake, when the economic toll is tabulated.  Many resources will be utilized to help in the recovery process in the immediate impact zone, which could put a strain on resources for other areas. Utilities, highway infrastructure and much more would likely be affected and some of our local emergency personnel will likely be deployed to the region.  We urge schools, businesses and governmental agencies to sign up for the Great Central U.S. Shakeout to learn more about how to prepare for an earthquake, and have a plan for the days and weeks after an earthquake.”

The United States Geological Survey’s website contains earthquake information, preparedness and safety tips concerning earthquakes. Links to that information can be found online at the Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management website, gocolumbiamo.com/EM.  For more information on the April 28th Great Central U.S. Shakeout, go to the website shakeout.org/centralus. 

There will also be a National Level Exercise May 16th – 20th,   2011.  Eight states, including Missouri, will participate in the exercise with a scenario that an earthquake has occurred along the New Madrid Fault.  The Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management will be participating in the exercise as well.  More information will be released in the coming weeks.