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 Dear Editor,
The largest earthquake ever to rattle North America occurred in 1811
in New Madrid, Missouri, near southern Illinois. If a similar quake
struck the same spot today - according to a 2008 University of
Illinois study - the impact would be catastrophic: 3,500 fatalities,
2.6 million people without electricity, and $300 billion in direct
economic losses. The region’s hospitals, roads, bridges, fuel
pipelines and water infrastructure would be in shambles.
Most of southern Illinois sits atop one of two major fault zones -
the New Madrid Seismic Zone and Wabash Valley Seismic Zone - but as
recently as 2010, the Sandwich Fault Zone in northern Illinois
rumbled. A quake can happen anywhere, at any time.
That’s why I invite every Illinois resident, school and business to
pause on October 16 at 10:16 a.m., to join the “world’s largest
earthquake drill”, during which millions of people will practice the
life-saving “Drop, Cover and Hold On” procedure.
The 4th Annual Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is a grass-roots
emergency preparedness drill designed to help residents think about
what to do before, during and after an earthquake. The drill focuses
on the protective actions we should take when a quake begins:
- “Drop” to the floor;
- take “Cover” under a sturdy desk or table, and
- “Hold On” until the shaking stops.
[to top of second column in this letter] |
You can register for the drill at
www.shakeout.
org/centralus ,
where you will find expert advice about earthquake preparedness. It
only takes a minute to register online for the Great ShakeOut and
just seconds to participate in the drill itself, but the lessons
learned could make a life-or-death difference.
In recent years, Illinois has been slammed by natural calamities:
floods, tornadoes, drought, blizzards. On the state’s preparedness
website -
www.Ready.Illinois.gov residents can find tips for
emergency planning, such as building a survival kit, creating escape
routes and family reunification plans, and caring for pets.
Last year, 523,000 Illinoisans participated in the Great ShakeOut,
the largest emergency drill in our State’s history. Be part of the
2014 ShakeOut. Register today.
Sincerely,
Jonathon Monken
Director
Illinois Emergency Management Agency [Posted
October 8, 2014]
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