FEMA Region 6 & Arkansas To Participate In NLE 2011 Exercise Simulating a 7.7 New Madrid Fault Earthquake Starting May 16, 2011

For further information on the NLE 2011 exercise, check out the official NLE 2011 page.

The below quote is from the FAQ:

NLE 11 will simulate the catastrophic nature of a major earthquake in the central United States region of the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), and involves the simulation of a magnitude 7.7 earthquake along the southern segment of the New Madrid Fault, closely followed by a magnitude 6.0 earthquake caused by a triggered event in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone (WVSZ).

One of the official press releases from March, 2011.

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FEMA Region 6 & Arkansas To Participate In National Level Catastrophic Exercise In May

Release Date: March 17, 2011

Release Number: R6-11-055

» 2011 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas -- FEMA Region 6 will partner with the state of Arkansas in a catastrophic earthquake exercise in May that will directly involve at least three other FEMA regions, several states and federal partners throughout the U.S.

Scheduled for May 16-19, National Level Exercise 2011 (NLE 2011) is designed to replicate a disastrous New Madrid Seismic event in Northeast Arkansas. The purpose of the exercise is to prepare and coordinate a multiple-jurisdictional integrated response to a national catastrophic event.

"NLE 2011 will focus on regional catastrophic response and recovery activities between federal, regional, state, tribal, local and private sector participants," said Region 6 Administrator Tony Russell. "Given recent and ongoing events in Japan, the decision months ago to focus on a catastrophic temblor was by chance, yet obviously appropriate for the U.S."

NLE 2011 is a White House-directed congressionally mandated exercise that includes the participation of all appropriate federal department and agency senior officials, their deputies and staff, and key operational elements.

For the latest NLE 11 news and developments, please call the FEMA Region 6 News Desk at 940-898-5454 or visit www.ready.gov/nle2011.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Thursday, 17-Mar-2011 17:17:10