Springfield, IL (KSDK) - The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is coordinating a three-day multi-county exercise to test plans dealing with a catastrophic earthquake in southern Illinois.
More than 100 state and local agencies and emergency response organizations will participate in the test, which will begin Tuesday morning and end Thursday afternoon.
Originally, the earthquake exercise was scheduled to coincide with the federal National Level Exercise in mid-May, but due to major flooding the state's portion of the exercise was rescheduled.
"While we have considerable experience responding to the disasters we frequently face, such as tornadoes, floods and blizzards, a major earthquake would definitely present unique challenges," said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. "This exercise will give us an opportunity to test our earthquake plans and identify any issues we need to address to enhance our preparedness.
The scenarios participants will face will not be not revealed in advance, but they will need to implement existing plans and procedures for dealing with a catastrophic earthquake that could occur in the New Madrid Seismic Zone in southwestern Illinois.
Most of the exercises will occur inside emergency operations centers and other facilities.
Twenty-two counties will participate in the exercise, as well as 16 state agencies, two federal agencies, six mutual aid organizations, 28 public health departments, and 32 hospitals.
KSDK