State Officials Fine-Tuning Earthquake Response Plans

State officials are refining their plans to respond to a recurrence of the New Madrid earthquake. Raising awareness is a critical element. Governor Matt Blunt says he believes Missourians understand the danger the New Madrid fault poses, because they have heard about the quake in 1811 that is considered one of the worst earthquakes in the nation’s history. Blunt says he wants state government ready to respond to an earthquake that registers between 6.5 and 8 on the Richter Scale. Such a quake would damage property in at least 47 counties and could do considerable damage to the city of St. Louis.