SPRINGFIELD – The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 2.3 magnitude earthquake near Thompsonville in Franklin County Monday morning.
While no damage has been reported associated with the tremor, officials said the event serves as a real-time reminder that earthquake can happen at any time and anywhere.
“While some hazards such as storms, tornadoes and floods can be forecasted in order to provide advance notice to residents in an area of danger, other hazards such as earthquakes cannot be predicted,” Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau said. “Earthquakes can happen anywhere and at any time, including while you are at work, at home or on vacation. Today’s earthquake is a great reminder that creating an environment of education, awareness and preparedness can save lives.”
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that 500,000 detectable earthquakes occur in the world each year. To better prepare Illinois residents for the possibility of earthquakes, IEMA encourages families, schools, businesses and community groups to participate in the world’s largest earthquake drill.
The ‘Great Central U.S. ShakeOut’ will take place October 21 at 10:21 a.m. It’s never too early to register your participation in this potentially life-saving event. Those interested can register at www.shakeout.org. Registered participants will receive additional information about the drill and earthquake preparedness.
To further reinforce earthquake preparedness, IEMA had created a series of videos with step by step instructions for Do-It-Yourself mitigation projects to better prepare a household for an earthquake.
Learn more about preparing a home, business and family for an earthquake at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.