Earthquakes are often thought of as a threat only in the western United States. Yet three of the largest earthquakes in U.S. history occurred along the New Madrid Seismic Zone in 1811-12. Each year, several small tremors from New Madrid and other seismic zones are felt in the central and eastern U.S., subtly reminding us that the threat of a damaging earthquake is quite real. Indeed, given the tremendous growth in population, infrastructure and structures in this region since the early 1800s, a modern-day earthquake has the potential to inflict considerable physical damage and mass casualties in the CUSEC states.
While each state in this region has embraced an all-hazards approach to tackle the wide array of emergency situations that arise – from floods, to tornadoes, to acts of terrorism – we recognize that the effects of a major earthquake pose unique challenges that extend beyond state boundaries. Through CUSEC, we come together to tackle these regional challenges, ranging from public information and education, to multi-state response and recovery planning, to mitigation efforts to research.
One of our biggest challenges is educating a public that is often unconcerned about the earthquake risks they face and personally unprepared for any type of emergency. Even in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster to hit the United States in recent times, studies show Americans remain unprepared to deal with such emergencies.
In the last ten years, the CUSEC states have undertaken an unprecedented series of outreach, planning, training, and exercise activities to prepare individuals, communities, states and the region for the catastrophic disaster which would result from a New Madrid seismic event. This planning has continued — and will continue — despite challenges faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than ever, the pandemic has shown the need for pre-disaster planning and coordination among communities, between state and federal governments, and the within the private sector.
On behalf of the CUSEC Board of Directors, I invite you to participate in CUSEC’s numerous mitigation, response, recovery, and preparedness activities within our Member and Associate States. Together we can build more resilient communities in preparation for when — not if — the next disaster occurs, and specifically, a catastrophic earthquake strikes.
Mr. Brian Hastings
Chairman, CUSEC Board of Directors
Director, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
