[Press Release] : Preparation for earthquakes

[Press Releases]

You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of
Columbia’s Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided
links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.
______________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Scott Smith, Public Information Officer, or Zim Schwartze,
Interim OEM Director - (573) 874-7400

Preparation for earthquakes 
Tips from the Office of Emergency Management 

COLUMBIA, MO (July 13, 2009) - Residents in mid-Missouri don’t think
about it every day, but the danger exists for an earthquake which would
affect the region. With the New Madrid Fault Zone within close
proximity, the Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management
(OEM) encourages everyone to make sure their disaster plans include
being prepared for an earthquake. 

“If a significant earthquake strikes along the New Madrid Fault, its
impact will be felt in our area,” said Interim OEM Director Zim
Schwartze. “At the very least, we’ll feel the ground shake, and we
could see some damage to older and poorly-built structures. Since
earthquakes can strike without warning, we encourage residents to
prepare themselves for the possibility of a quake.”

According to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Columbia and
Boone County would feel a magnitude 6.0 earthquake or greater
originating from the New Madrid fault, with a quake of 7.0 or greater
causing minor structural damage in mid-Missouri, and an 8.0 or greater
bringing about more significant damage. In addition, the impact of a
major New Madrid earthquake will be felt across the entire state for
weeks and months, as a large-scale recovery effort will take place in
the immediate quake zone of southeast Missouri. 

Families and businesses are encouraged to prepare a plan for what to do
before, during and after an earthquake. The Columbia/Boone County Office
of Emergency Management has a number of publications available,
including those that address earthquakes, and what to do before and
after a disaster. Links to that information can be found online at
www.GoColumbiaMo.com/EM.

- 30 -
______________________________________________________

Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or
subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and
follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/index.php