Past earthquakes have caused great damage in the central United States, including Missouri and other states. The State of Missouri is still vulnerable to earthquake loss. Earthquake damage can be greatly reduced or managed to the benefit of all. This Strategic Plan for Earthquake Safety in Missouri develops tangible, practical procedures to prepare Missouri for future earthquakes as well as other natural hazards at the same time. Elements of the plan have been developed to be useful, cost effective and significant for all Missouri citizens and businesses.
This document is the product of a legislative mandate. The State of Missouri enacted Senate Bill No. 142 in 1993, which created the responsibilities of the Missouri Seismic Safety Commission, MSSC. The MSSC and its committees assembled a draft of this plan in October 1996. Considerable planning, interpretation of the enacting legislation, general advice from the State Emergency Management Agency, and participation by state agencies and interested individuals were involved in creating this document. Comments from reviewers were evaluated and incorporated into the plan. Other seismic safety organizations, most notably from the States of California and Utah, have developed documents, planned for earthquakes and conducted relief efforts. A distinct parallel can be found between the MSSC and the Utah Seismic Safety Commission (USSC). The similarity of both Commissions' goals and responsibilities has allowed the MSSC to appraise USSC's reports and to consider common issues. MSSC has incorporated material from federal, state and local programs, documents and activities, as well as its own deliberations, in shaping its strategies. The concepts herein have been assessed and fashioned to the needs of the State of Missouri.
The MSSC, state agencies, local governments, residents and individual businesses may use the plan to begin the large task ahead. This plan will not only aid in projecting goals, but will also evolve as initiatives are taken and new information expands the potential for responding to earthquakes. Priorities have been established but may be revised in the future. The MSSC will attempt to focus these priorities and urge Missouri's stakeholders to pursue these goals within the State's capabilities.
The lessons learned from past U.S. earthquakes have demonstrated the significant burden placed on surviving families, businesses, utilities and state agencies. The great New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812, the largest U.S. events in terms of area of major damage, force us to recognize the threat to our region. Preparation now, following the Strategic Plan, will yield significant reductions in fatalities, casualties, damaged structures, business failures, and state infrastructure losses from earthquakes. These same actions will also reduce the impact of other natural hazards.