Illinoisans Will "Drop, Cover, and Hold" During Tuesday's Earthquake Drill

Illinoisans Will “Drop, Cover, and Hold” During Tuesday’s Earthquake Drill

By Ellen Cannon

     Illinoisans Will “Drop, Cover, and Hold” During Tuesday’s The second annual Great Central U.S. Shake Out drill will take place at 10:15 a.m. on February 7th during what Governor Quinn has officially declared as “Earthquake Preparedness Month”. More than 400,000 Illinois residents have registered for the drill which will last a few minutes on Tuesday. The effort aims at encouraging residents to “Drop to the floor, take “Cover” under a sturdy desk table or other furniture, and “Hold On” to the furniture item and be prepared to move with it until the shaking ends. Nine states have registered more than two million residents to take part in this proactive preparedness drill. These states include Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

     Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director, Jonathon Monken is encouraged by the number of Illinoisans that will participate in the drill. He views the drill as vehicle “to raise public awareness of the earthquake risk in our region and teaches what they can do to stay safe if an earthquake occurs.”(www.enewspf.com2/3/2012)

     According to IEMA recommendations, “One of the most important steps people can take to prepare for an earthquake or other emergencies is to develop a disaster preparedness kit.  The kit should include water, non-perishable food, flashlights, a battery operated radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit and other supplied to help people survive for a minimum of three days following a disaster.(www.IEMA.govand www.Ready.gov)

     Last month Northern Illinois residents experienced a small earthquake on the border of Illinois and Wisconsin. It measured 2.4 on the Richter Scale. A Richter scale reading between 2.0 and 2.9 magnitude suggests that “the earthquake was generally not felt, but recorded.” (www.news.medill.northwestern.edu1/31/2012). According to Governor Quinn the incident, while not serious, “was an important reminder for people to brush up on earthquake safety, which can help save lives if a major earthquake occurs.”(www.enewspf.com2/3/2012)

     Illinois is at risk from two major seismic zones, the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone and the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ).  The Wabash valley is located between southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana.  The New Madrid Seismic Zone is located in the central Mississippi Valley and includes portions of Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

     During any 50 year time span, there is a 25% to 40% chance of a magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquake in this seismic zone.

     Since 1974, the year network monitoring of seismic activity began, more than 3,000 earthquakes have been recorded in the New Madrid Seismic Zone.  None of these earthquakes exceeded a magnitude of 5.0 and most occurred without our noticing.

     The largest earthquake in recent years occurred on the Wabash valley Seismic Zone.  This earthquake measured 5.4 and occurred in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, on April 18, 2008.  The most powerful earthquake ever to occur in the continental United States took place in the New Madrid Seismic Zone during the winter of 1811-1812.  This area was minimally populated then, but experts estimate that a similar series of earthquakes today would devastate the region, with projected damages of $60 to $80 billion.

     According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a significant seismic event on the Madrid fault can cause greater magnitude on the West coast.  This is because: (1) for the same magnitude earthquake, severe shaking effects a larger area in the central U.S.; (2) most structures in the central portion of the U.S. are not designed to withstand earthquakes as they are on the West coast; and (3) the residents of the central portion of the U.S. are not routinely educated about seismic safety before, during, and after an event compared to residents on the West coast. (www.americanpreppersnetwork.net1/16/2011)

     Two years ago, the University of Illinois published a study of the New Madrid Seismic Zone which confirmed that a massive earthquake could devastate parts of the central United States. The lead author of the study was Professor Amr Einashai.

     The study assumed a magnitude of a 7.7 quake, based on recommendations of the U.S. Geological Survey.  Experts noted that such a quake could leave 3,500 people dead, more than 80,000 injured and more than 7.2 million people would not be able to live in their home for some time after the initial quake.  More than 80% of the residents would experience long-term dislocation from their homes.  They also estimated that 715,000 buildings would be damaged, transportation would be severely impacted, and more than 2.6 million homes would have no electricity. “We can expect gas lines to be broken with difficulties in governments finding contractors to fix gas leaks and collapsed bridges.” (“Study Paints Grim New Madrid Quake Scenario,: www.dailyherald.com6/26/10)

     FEMA’s associate administrator for Response and Recovery underscored the impact that an earthquake along the New Madrid fault line would have. He stated that a response would require 42,000 first responders.” (www.fema.gov)

     On April 18, 2008, when Illinois was jolted by an earthquake, it was felt as far west as Kansas, as  far north as Upper Michigan, and as far south as Georgia.  The preliminary magnitude was 5.2 and centered about 38 miles north-northwest of Evansville, Indiana or 128 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri.  Buildings that were not retrofitted under updated building codes in this region remain vulnerable to severe damage. (www.sciencedaily.com02/2011)

     The latest National Research Council Report presented on March 30, 2011, details an 18 strategic tasks for the operationalization of the National Earthquake Reduction Program (NEHRP) which aims at earthquake resiliency for the nation.  The program is led by the National Institute of Standards and technology and includes FEMA, The National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Geological Survey. The recommended tasks include: the evaluation and testing of early warning systems; develop earthquake forecasting; integrate earth science, engineering, and social science information so the communities can visualize earthquakes and tsunami impacts and mitigate potential effects; develop pre-disaster mitigation and preparedness; update lifeline infrastructures such as electricity, highways, and water function following an earthquake; and initiate earthquake resiliency pilot projects in local communities to improve awareness, reduce risk, and enhance emergency preparedness and recovery capacity. (“U.S. Earthquakes Resilience Needs Strengthening says new Report” www.sciencedaily.com3/2011)

     The “Great Central U.S. ShakeOut” is a significant effort that aims at inching the U.S. toward a new 21st century level of preparedness. This multi-state effort has organized city governments, emergency agencies, hospitals and public health facilities, private and faith based community organizations, schools, parents, communication networks and the business community. For additional information on as well as registration for the drill, go to www.ShakeOut.org/centralus)