DisastersMidwest preps for multi-state earthquake drill

Emergency management agencies across the central United States are getting ready for a multi-state earthquake preparedness drill next month.

Led by the University of Southern California’s Earthquake Center, on 7 February at 10:15 AM CST, more than one million people across nine states will participatein the “Great Central U.S. ShakeOut.”

As part of the drill, all participants have been instructed to “drop, cover, and hold on,” wherever they are at 10:15 as if they were in a real earthquake.

According to the event’s organizers, “the ShakeOut was designed as a way for the general public to learn about earthquakes and take specific actions to prepare themselves before the next damaging earthquake strikes.”

The central United States is not particularly known for its earthquakes, but emergency officials say it is important for residents to participate as it raises awareness and increases disaster preparedness. 

John Erickson, a spokesman for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, which is participating in this year’s exercise, said, “We want people to be aware that an earthquake is a possible hazard.”

“When you’re preparing for an earthquake, you’re also preparing for the other types of emergencies and disasters Hoosiers face each year,” he added. “You’re preparing for tornadoes. You’re preparing for winter storms. Things that apply to earthquakes will also apply to other situations.”

While rare, the Midwest has been subjected to several powerful quakes in the past. On 15 December, 1811, a powerful quake struck southeastern Missouri. The tremors were so powerful that church bells rang in Washington, D.C., according to historical accounts. More recently, in 1909, Indiana was struck by its most powerful quake.

“If those same earthquakes happened today it could devastate Indiana, especially the southwest corner of the state,” Erickson warned. “You’d have significant damage to infrastructure. You’d have unusable buildings.”

According to Erickson, so fare more than 270,000 Indiana residents have signed up to participate in the multi-state earthquake drill and he is encouraging individuals, businesses, and public institutions to participate.

Last April, more than three million people in eleven states participated in the ShakeOut exercise.