Illinois Could be Due For an Earthquake Any Day

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is asking people to be prepared for possible earthquakes. They are warning everyone that iIf a similar size quake was to hit Illinois, there would be devastating results. And it seems like more of a possibility now more than ever.

FOX2NOW details -

Illinois is flanked on its western and eastern borders by two active seismic zones: the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone. The New Madrid fault zone is very active. In 1811-1812 the area in southern Missouri was hit by an earthquake that registered 7.5 on the Richter scale. It was felt up the eastern seaboard into New York City, Philadelphia, even up to Canada.

Fox also explains the exact level of risk facing the state -

The risk of another earthquake on the New Madrid fault of the same size is 7 – 10 percent over the next 50 years. A scientist tells them that the likelihood of an earthquake on the New Madrid fault of a 6.0 during the same timeline is around 40-50 percent.

Here are some tips to remember -

• Strapping water heaters and large appliances to wall studs
• Anchoring overhead light fixtures
• Fastening shelves to wall studs and securing cabinet doors with latches
• Strapping TVs, computers and other heavy equipment to prevent tipping
• Learning how to shut off gas, water and electricity in case the lines are damaged

I'm not saying it's going to happen or not happen, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

H/T FOX2NOW