3 months ago
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In the last month, at least five small quakes were reported in Faulkner County. But at any day, at any moment, Shelia Annable with the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management says a big one may come.
She explains, "There is no prediction available for earthquakes so that makes it even more difficult because you can't pre-stage resources, people. We hope it doesn't happen for a long time but it is our job to be prepared."
But Annable's team of responders can practice. Wednesday, a group of 100 gathered at the command center to get a jump start on a national exercise that will take place in 2011. Ten counties in Arkansas are participating in the mock catastrophic earthquake.
Annable's team is assisting them with planning and also identifying what they need from the state; like food, shelter, and medical attention.
She says, "Trying to keep from repeating some of those mistakes that have been made before and making sure we are prepared to help the citizens of this state."
The mistakes? Annable points to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when it took days to get help survivors. Since then, FEMA has provided various states with funding to help develop catastrophic plans, but Annable says some responsibility does lie with Arkansans.
"We hope that brings home the self preparedness people need to make that plan and get that disaster kit in their home," she explains.
Have an emergency earthquake disaster kit for your family ready when an earthquake strikes.
