Get Ready to Drop, Cover and Hold On

John Bobel

October 10, 2014

The Lexington Division of Emergency Management, along with Kentucky Emergency Management and FEMA , encourage people to be aware of the risks of earthquakes in the region as well as other natural and man-made disasters. Kentucky Earthquake Awareness Week starts Monday, October 13.

Kentucky is impacted by two major earthquake fault areas: the New Madrid Earthquake Zone and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone in southern Illinois and Indiana. Another fault area is in northeastern Kentucky near Maysville. All are capable of producing earthquakes in the Commonwealth that can cause significant, long-term damage and injury.

“It’s important that as part of being prepared for emergencies and natural disasters, people in Lexington take time to review what to do in case of an earthquake,” said Pat Dugger, Director of the Division of Emergency Management. “A little time planning now can save lives, minimize or eliminate injuries and provide for a quicker response and recovery if an earthquake were to occur here.”

The effects of a major earthquake would be felt throughout the region. Even if there were minimal damage in central Kentucky, important utility systems and transportation corridors would be disrupted. Underground pipelines that carry petroleum and natural gas would be affected as well. Lexington would become an important medical care, relocation and supply center for recovery activities. The county’s temporary population would increase significantly.

As part of Earthquake Awareness Week, Kentuckians and millions across the U.S. are encouraged to participate in a national earthquake drill at 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, October 16. The Great Central U.S. Shakeout Earthquake Safety Drill is a self-triggering event designed to educate school children as well as the general public on what to do if an earthquake took place.

To register online as an earthquake drill participant, visit: www.shakeout.org/centralus/register.
More information about earthquake preparedness and safety is available online at: www.BeReadyLexington.com/earthquake.

More information about emergency preparedness is available from the Division of Emergency Management website: BeReadyLexington.com. Information from the division is also available through the DEM Facebook page: LexingtonKYEM and the DEM Twitter account: @lexkyem.