Preparing for the possibility of an earthquake can no longer be just a task for residents in northeast Arkansas.
With a string of tremors over the past three months, Catholic Charities of Arkansas is gearing up to prepare its parish disaster response teams and parishioners in general about what they need to do now in case an earthquake strikes their area.
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Jamie Deere, parish social ministry director, oversees disaster response for the Diocese of Little Rock. She works closely with the teams, which were initially created after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, to ensure they are properly trained and know how to access resources for their parishioners and other residents in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.
"We want our parishes and parishioners to be prepared like they would for any disaster. We are hoping the schools are preparing too," Deere said. "We know we are going to have tornadoes. We forget that we are sitting in close proximity to a major fault. … We always have to be prepared."
Most earthquake preparedness in the state has centered on northeast Arkansas, which is in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. A series of 1811-1812 quakes, with magnitudes around 8, caused the Mississippi River to flow backwards. Deere said seismologists have said there is a 97-percent chance a major earthquake will hit the zone by 2035.
At least 15 earthquakes, including three on Jan. 26 near Walnut Ridge, have occurred inside and outside of that zone since Novem ber. According to the Center for Earthquake Research and Information in Memphis, earthquakes ranging from magnitudes 1.6 to 2.9 have hit near Walnut Ridge, Portia (Law rence), Shirley (Van Buren), Blythe ville, Da mas cus (Van Buren), Rock port (Hot Spring), Hot Springs Village, Casa (Perry), Victoria (Mis sissippi), Caraway (Craig head), Hector (Pope) and Gosnell (Mis si s sippi). Officials have said unknown faults could be the culprits for the tremors in central Arkan sas.
"They are happening here (Arkansas) frequently. They are not big, but they are happening," Deere said.
According to an Associated Press report Jan. 22, a new fault line was discovered in Marianna, in eastern Arkansas, and could set off a magnitude 7 earthquake.
"We want people to be aware that it is possible in other areas besides the New Madrid area," Deere said.
Acknowledging "there is not a lot you can do during an earthquake," Deere said parishioners can try to prepare.
"We don't want to scare people, but there are a few things you can do," she said.
Deere said Catholic Charities will be focusing its efforts on training parish teams and building relationships with other disaster agencies. Of immediate concern is getting more teams established in northeast Arkansas. Currently the closest team is in West Memphis, she said.
Deere has visited with the Red Cross of the Mid-South, which serves Memphis and Crit ten den County. Deere said these relationships are key because if an earthquake paralyzed Mem phis, Little Rock would be the closest city where hospitals and services could be provided.
"They know us and they know to call us," she said.
Sister Mary Lou Stubbs, DC, director of Catholic Charities, said she is continuing to work on the executive team of the Arkansas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. She said she hopes the other charities will start making their plans as well in the event a major earthquake hits the state. In her office Sister Mary Lou has a map where she is now tracking the recent earthquakes.
Sister Mary Lou said she believes churches are the most effective place to inform parishioners about disaster preparedness. She said she hopes Catholics will create a plan at their work, home and church.
"Every disaster is local and every response is local," she said.
What to do BEFORE an earthquake
Conduct earthquake drills. If you are inside, stay inside. Get under a study table and stay away from windows and glass. Or stand or crouch in a doorway.
Create an evacuation plan and practice it. Make sure each family member knows where your emergency outdoor meeting place is.
Establish what items are priorities to take with you.
Write down important information, including phone numbers for neighbors, insurance agent, utilities and bank.
Store important documents in a fireproof safe, including birth certificates, social security cards, insurance policies and wills. Also make sure you have a household inventory, including list of contents, photographs of every room and photographs of valuable property.
More information is available at www.fema.gov/areyouready/earthquakes.shtm, www.adem.arkansas.gov/documents/Earthquake/preparedness.aspx, or redcross.org/local/california/northern-california-coastal/about-us/our-work/prepare.html.