February has been designated as Earthquake Awareness Month. Governor Jay Nixon met with leaders in public safety, emergency response, law enforcement, emergency medical care, faith groups and the Missouri National Guard on Friday to strengthen state and local preparedness in the event of an earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. The New Madrid Seismic Zone is the nation’s most active seismic zone east of the Rocky Mountains. What are believed to be the three largest earthquakes in the history of the continental United States occurred in the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the winter of 1811-1812. 

In announcing the summit, the Governor said, “History has shown that advance planning, coordination and communication between all levels of governments, emergency responders and faith and community leaders is essential in any disaster response.”  Gov. Nixon was joined by Missouri Department of Public Safety Deputy Director Andrea Spillars and Missouri National Guard Adjutant General Stephen Danner.  During a roundtable discussion, the Governor asked local law enforcement, fire service, emergency management and business and utility leaders, along with religious and non-profit volunteers, to outline their preparation efforts and any assistance they might need from the state to ensure the best response possible.

A major earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone could have a significant impact as far away as Arkansas, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee, and as close as St Louis. During Earthquake Awareness Month, the State Emergency Management Agency is participating in a series of events around the state that are designed to increase earthquake preparedness efforts by citizens, schools, businesses and non-profits.  For more on those events and earthquake awareness events go to www.sema.dps.mo.gov.