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Threat of earthquakes to St. Louis region "real," says FEMA's Fugate

A woodcut depicting damage from the New Madrid series of earthquakes in 1811 and 1812. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says the threat of earthquakes on the New Madrid fault remain. (Via Wikimedia Commons)
A woodcut depicting damage from the New Madrid series of earthquakes in 1811 and 1812. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says the threat of earthquakes on the New Madrid fault remain. (Via Wikimedia Commons)

Some scientists say risks of another major earthquake from the New Madrid fault are minimal.

But FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate insists the threat to the St. Louis region is real.

Administrator Fugate was a featured speaker at a conference on earthquake preparedness for business and industry, which was held today at Saint Louis University.

Fugate said that getting ready for earthquakes isn’t just government’s responsibility.

“A major player in this is the private sector, and how prepared they are, to get their facilities up and running, to begin those operations again and provide those critical services that will be needed by everybody in the days after an earthquake,” Fugate said.

Fugate said businesses like gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and utility and cell phone companies must be ready to provide services following a disaster.