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When the earth quakes -

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!

Historically: This area is located close to 2 fault zones, the New Madrid and the Wabash Valley. Since 1875, this region has experienced at least 40 earthquakes that could be felt by residents; 26 of them caused damage of a level 6 or higher. The most renowned in Indiana history are the 4 earthquakes in the 1811-1812 sequence: two on December 16, 1811 with magnitudes of 8.1 and 7.2; and one each on January 23, 1812 magnitude 7.8, and February 7, 1812 magnitude 8.0.

More recently:

November 9, 1968 a 5.5 magnitude quake was centered in Hamilton County, IL (about 50 miles west of Evansville. It damaged 15% of the chimneys in a 25-mile radius of the epicenter, produced cracks in foundations and collapsed parapets and walls as far away as St. Louis, MO. It was felt in 23 states from southeast Minnesota to central Alabama and Georgia, and from western N. Carolina to central Kansas.

June 10, 1987 a 5.2 magnitude quake was centered near Olney and Claremont, Illinois (approximately 25 miles west of Vincennes, IN. It rattled windows as far east as Indianapolis, IN and caused minor damage to masonry of the courthouse at Bloomfield, IN.

December 7, 2000 at 8:08 a.m. a 3.9 magnitude quake was centered 5 miles west of Evansville.

June 18, 2002 at 12:37 p.m. a 5.0 magnitude quake was centered in Darmstadt, 10 miles northwest of Evansville, Indiana. It shook buildings in downtown Evansville and was felt at least 250 miles away – as far north as South Bend, IN and as far south as Memphis, TN. It was also felt in much of Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.

January 3, 2003 at 10:17 a.m. a 2.9 magnitude quake was centered in Southeast Illinois, 37.83N 88.09W, at a depth of 5.0 kilometers. This is 25 miles ENE of Harrisburg, IL and 30 miles W of Henderson, KY. It registered on the seismograph at Harrison High School in Evansville, IN.

It is not a matter of If, but When –
Are you prepared?

What to do . . . Before

PLAN and hold earthquake drills for your family and business. choose a location where family members will meet if they are separated during the quake. Select a relative or friend outside the area for separated family members to report their condition and location. Know the safe places in each room of your home or business. Understand that earthquake damage may interrupt power, local telephone service, cell phone service, and transportation.

Do you have a Family Disaster Plan* ? What if the earthquake hits during the day, do you have a place to meet, or will you all be running around trying to find each other? Check to see if there is a Preparedness Plan for the place you work, the school your children or you attend, even your church or social club. Have the plans been communicated and rehearsed? If an earthquake occurs when you are at work, in a store or at school, follow the same safety rules you would at home - get under sturdy objects and away from glass, overhead lights and other dangerous objects likely to fall.

CREATE a safer home and business. Have you taken mitigation steps like strapping the water heater, securing tall furniture, attaching bookcases to the wall studs, anchoring overhead light fixtures and keeping beds away from glass and hanging objects?

Secure cabinet doors with latches to keep them closed during a quake. Keep large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Secure wall pictures, mirrors, table and shelf ornaments, and hanging plants.

Mitigation – actions taken prior to a disaster to lessen its effects Mitigation = less loss $$$

CHECK for defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. Know where, how and when to shut off electricity, gas, and water at the main switches and valves. (Check with your local utilities for instructions.) Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.

If you turn the gas off, you will need a "professional" to turn it back on.

ASSEMBLE a Family Disaster Supplies Kit* to last at least 72 hrs (3 days) or longer. Include first aid supplies, drinking water (1 gallon per day per person), canned and dried foods requiring no cooking, can opener, flashlights with extra batteries, tools and a battery operated radio.

Each person will need a change of clothing, bedding, and special items like an extra set of car keys, eye glasses, a credit card, and cash or traveler's checks, medications, and sanitation supplies like toilet paper, wet wipes, personal hygiene items, disinfectant, and items for infants and pets.

* See the "Preparedness Information" page for more details.

What to do . . . During

KEEP CALM, expect the earthquake to last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Remember, most casualties are caused by falling objects.

IF INSIDE, stay there. Take cover in a doorway, under a sturdy desk or table, or kneel against an interior wall. Avoid shelves or heavy objects that may fall. Keep away from windows, mirrors and outside doors.

IF OUTSIDE, stay there. Get away from buildings and watch for chimneys, overhead wires, poles or other objects that might fall.

IN A CAR, pull over and stop - away from bridges and overpasses. Stay in your vehicle and turn on the radio.

What to do . . . After

GATHER everyone in a safe place. If someone is missing, look for places where the person could be trapped. Attend to injuries. If the house is so heavily damaged you can't stay inside, collect your Family Disaster Supplies Kit* and seek a safe place outdoors. When checking for damage use a flashlight, do not use matches or candles and do not turn on lights until you have checked the gas, electricity and water lines for damage. Stay away from power lines.

* See the "Preparedness Information" page for more details.