Stories from Thursday, March 16, 2023

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe stressed the importance of the work and relationships that would be built Thursday as the fifth annual Earthquake Summit kicked off in Portageville. The largest event of its kind, according to Jeff Briggs, Missouri’s earthquake program manager, it brings together hundreds of first responders, emergency management professionals, local, state and federal partners to discuss the hazards and preparations for a major earthquake event in the New Madrid Seismic Zone...

Mrs. Lois Louise Jones, age 80, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023 at the University Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Lois was born on a hot summer day, August 1, 1942, in the family home in Bell City, Mo., the daughter of Valentine Richard and Mildred Lurean (Holder) Frala. She grew up helping on the family farm and developed a great work ethic from a young age...

There is a 25-40% possibility of a magnitude 6 or greater earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone within the next 50 years, said Andrea Spillars, Region 7 administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency. She shared this prediction Thursday during the 2023 Earthquake Summit in Portageville...

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe stressed the importance of the plans and relationships formed Thursday at the annual Earthquake Summit in Portageville, as the massive event kicked off its fifth year. The conference is the largest event of its kind, according to state earthquake program manager Jeff Briggs, and it brings together hundreds of first responders, emergency management professionals and partners from the local to federal levels. ...

PORTAGEVILLE — State officials are getting closer to having models which will help direct an evacuation and disaster response effort for the region in the event of a major earthquake along the New Madrid Seismic Zone. These models take into account surveys asking residents when, where and how they would evacuate after an incident, what roads and bridges would be most impacted and need the fastest inspections and many other factors, explained Michael White, Missouri Department of Transportation Emergency Management coordinator.. ...