KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffMissouri to participate in statewide earthquake drill Feb. 7

Missouri to participate in statewide earthquake drill Feb. 7

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(KFVS) -

More than 390,000 Missourians are registered to participate in the state's second statewide earthquake drill on Feb. 7.

The "Great Central U.S. ShakeOut" is a nine-state regional earthquake drill.

More than 1.7 million people in the Midwest are expected to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" at the same time – 10:15 a.m.

In 2011, almost 500,000 Missourians participated in the first ShakeOut earthquake drill.

Missouri is one of nine states in the New Madrid Seismic Zone that will participate in this drill on the 200th anniversary of the largest earthquake in state history.

The Great New Madrid Earthquake happened on February 7, 1812 and devastated much of southeast Missouri.  It briefly reversed the course of the Mississippi River and was felt as far away as the East Coast.

Anyone can register for the ShakeOut at www.shakeout.org/centralus, where viewers can receive all the information needed for a successful drill.

Experts say this the best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop cover, and hold on since in the U.S. the primary threat for injury or loss of life is falling debris and toppling objects, like bookcases and heavy electronics, not a structural collapse.

At exactly 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 7, Missourians and people around the central U.S. will:

  • DROP to the ground
  • take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table
  • HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops

The New Madrid Seismic Zone, centered in southeast Missouri, is the nation's most active earthquake zone east of the Rocky Mountains, according to the Missouri Department of Public Safety. At least three of the largest earthquakes in the continental United States occurred in the region from1811-12. The largest of the quakes was centered in New Madrid and occurred on Feb. 7, 1812. The earthquakes were followed by aftershocks that continued for more than two years. More than 2,000 shocks were felt at least 180 miles away from their epicenters.

More information on the ShakeOut and earthquake preparedness is available from the State Emergency Management Agency. Go to www.sema.dps.mo.gov

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