Thursday, May 12, 2011

Upcoming National Level Earthquake Exercise 2011

Upcoming National Level Earthquake Exercise 2011


 
As discussed in the recent 2011 KOIN Workshop, Kentucky will be participating in the National Level Exercise 2011 on May 16-20, 2011. This is a large, multi-state functional earthquake exercise. The scenario involves a 7.7 magnitude earthquake striking along the New Madrid fault in the western part of the state. Major areas affected will include Owensboro to the north, Christian County to the south and west to Paducah. The main objective of the exercise is to prepare for and coordinate a multi-jurisdictional response to a major earthquake in the central U.S. region of the New Madrid Seismic Zone. The exercise will involve government officials at the federal, state, local and tribal levels, private sector members and the general public. The exercise play will be based on the earthquake striking in mid-winter February. After it strikes, there will be no power, communications, roads will be severely damaged and widespread flooding will occur. There will also be a major loss of infrastructure in the affected areas and limited space at shelters. A breakdown of the week-long exercise includes: Day 1 (May 16) - Communications, Day 2 (May 17) - Life saving/search and rescue, Day 3 (May 18) - Mass care/medical evacuations, Day 4 (May 19) - Sustainment/restoration operations, Day 5 (May 20) - After action review. For more information on the exercise,please go to http://kyem.ky.gov/nle2011.htm

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