Escape Routes When Not If Missouri Has a Catastrophic Earthquake

It's nearly a foregone conclusion that Missouri will have a major earthquake in our lifetime. Do you know how you would respond if catastrophe happens? There is research being done to determine how Missourians might evacuate once the big one hits.

I came across a fascinating study done by the University of Missouri Engineering Department. Praveen Edara, chair and professor of civil and environmental engineering, has done studies about where Missourians can go if a major earthquake causes severe loss of services. He's reportedly been working with the Missouri Department of Transportation for the past few years discussing how residents might escape the aftermath of a New Madrid Seismic Zone quake.

You would do well to look at the details of what he's learned, but here's the short version. He said that nearly all residents in southeastern Missouri would need to retreat to the west. The assumption is that bridges over the Mississippi will be unusable for at least some period of time that might also be a long-term problem.

The other issue is researching which highways and roads to the west will be safe if a major New Madrid earthquake happens. He mentioned in the video shared by Fox 2 in St. Louis that I-55 might have some damaged sections if liquification happens in some areas. He said they could sink or slide which is unfortunate since that would be the best north-south escape route from Cape Girardeau.

The report says that computer models are being run to determine what roads residents could plan to use in the event of a New Madrid Fault quake emergency. He also believes it's possible that Missouri residents could receive notifications on their phone directing them to which highways would lead to safety. I have to wonder if cellular towers might be damaged by a big earthquake though.

I'd be interested to see how this study has progressed over the past couple of years as the professor plans to also study St. Louis, Missouri and the massive population there that might be displaced.

They say it's a matter of when and not if as the New Madrid Fault will someday change our lives forever. We need to all live with the possibility that day could be today.