Earth-shaking program set for March 30 in Fulton

Posted: Friday, March 18, 2011 9:02 pm

When the earth trembled in Japan, local residents were reminded they, too, are at risk.
Positioned atop the famed New Madrid Fault which was most active 200 years ago, residents of Obion County and the surrounding area have long registered an uneasy knowledge that an earth-shaking repeat performance could be just around the corner.
On March 30 at 6 p.m., Brian Blake, earthquake program coordinator for the Central United States Earthquake Consortium in Memphis, will present “Earthquake Hazards and Preparedness” in the fellowship hall of Fulton First United Methodist Church.
His message will include the types of hazards seen from earthquakes and the action residents should take in the event of a quake.
“This meeting will increase participants’ level of earthquake preparedness for themselves and their families,” a spokesman said. “All homeowners, business owners, faith-based organizations and citizens are invited to attend and to use the Second Street entrance to the fellowship hall.”
There is no cost for the program.
The New Madrid Seismic Zone, sometimes called the New Madrid Fault, is a major zone and may have the potential to produce large earthquakes in the future, according to the consortium. West Kentucky and West Tennessee are two of the seven states that are potentially threatened.
“It will take the entire community working together to prepare for, respond to and recover from catastrophic event,” a spokesman said.
For more information, call (731) 335-0109 or (731) 479-2579.

Published in The Messenger 3.18.11