A major earthquake along the New Madrid fault line is the most devastating natural disaster that could occur in Missouri. Scientists say it is not a matter of if, but when the fault will move again. Predicting an earthquake is difficult…preparing for one is also a challenge, but not an impossible one.

On June 19, 20 and 21, MoDOT helped ready Missouri for an earthquake emergency by participating in an exercise conducted by the State Emergency Management Agency. During the three days, Missouri's emergency management and public safety community experienced a simulated earthquake of a 7.7 magnitude along the New Madrid fault line. MoDOT played a key role in the week’s activities with over 100 employees involved in the exercise.

“Our job is to get the roads open,” said Rick Bennett, MoDOT’s emergency management coordinator. “I have no doubt that we are up to the task. Our people are capable, we have a lot of resources to bring and we know how to engage contractors and other resources to get the job done.” 

Bennett says MoDOT staff stepped up and played well even when some curveballs were thrown into the scenario. They worked through issues of fallen bridges, trapped motorists, crumbled roadways and essential employees who were injured or incapacitated during the recovery phase of the exercise.

All Districts and many Central Office Divisions participated at various levels. “In particular,” said Bennett, “District 9 went above and beyond the call of duty to make this exercise successful. They took all the information as real and reacted as they would in a true earthquake.”

The South Central District would be particularly essential in an earthquake because of their proximity to the affected area and their ability to provide accessible resources. They would host a MoDOT staging area (command station) in Van Buren. Additional MoDOT staging areas would be set up at Wentzville and St. Clair.

Bennet said he did see an opportunity to fine-tune backup communication systems and processes the department employs when normal communications are out of service. Training additional staff for disaster communication and response will also improve MoDOT operations in a time of crisis.

In addition to internal operations, MoDOT also worked well with other agencies on the local, state and federal level because of relationships that are already in place. Those relationships will help communication and coordination during the event of a real emergency.

Gov. Matt Blunt was pleased with the exercise. “I was impressed with the search and rescue response to a simulated structure collapse after an earthquake. If a crisis of this magnitude were to occur the damages would be incomprehensible. After witnessing Missouri's public safety community in action, Missourians can take solace that we stand ready to respond at a moments notice.”

Other Info -- The New Madrid fault has a demonstrated history of devastating power. In 1811-1812, there were five earthquakes greater than 8.0 in magnitudes. These quakes were larger than the famed San Francisco quake of 1906 and strong enough to ring church bells on the Eastern seaboard. The fault is active and is the highest earthquake risk in the mainland U.S. outside the west coast. In 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a 25 to 40 percent chance of a 6.0 or greater earthquake along the New Madrid fault occurring in the next 50 years, and a 7 to10 percent chance of a 7.5 to 8.0 earthquake in the same period.