Williamson County Emergency Management Agency

The agency, a department of Williamson County government, coordinates the plans and operations of all components of the emergency management system within the county. Two full-time staff and approximately 20 volunteers stand ready to assist with any incident response within the county involving fire, police, EMA, public works, or other entities contributing to the management of emergencies. Williamson County EMA maintains an Emergency Operations Plan for the county and would function as the Emergency Operations Center during the response to a disaster within the county. We also serve as the front-line, in conjunction with the National Weather Service, for all Williamson County residents in monitoring incoming severe weather into the county. The Williamson County Emergency Management Agency provides a great deal of community outreach throughout the year in the form of presentations to community groups. Whether you are in your home, a school classroom, a high-rise or other type of building, it is important to know how to protect yourself during an earthquake. Practice what to do during an earthquake with your family members so you can react automatically when the shaking starts. Earthquakes:
If you are indoors, follow these steps:

Drop -- Drop down to the floor. Cover -- Take cover under a sturdy desk, table or other furniture. If that is not possible, seek cover against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid danger spots near windows, hanging objects, mirrors or tall furniture. Hold -- If you take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, hold on to it and be prepared to move with it. HOLD the position until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move. If you are outside when the shaking starts, get into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls and power lines. Do not stop under overpasses or bridges. Turn off the engine and turn on the radio. Stay inside your vehicle below window level until the shaking stops. Do not get out of your vehicle if downed power lines have fallen across it. Earthquake Hazards
There are two primary "hot spots" for earthquakes in the central United States that will impact Illinois, specifically in the south and southeastern parts of the state. New Madrid Seismic Zone lies within the central Mississippi Valley, from Cairo, Illinois, through southeastern Missouri, western Kentucky, western Tennessee and northeast Arkansas. The epicenter of the zone is located just west and northwest of Memphis, Tennessee. Historically, this area has been the site of some of the largest earthquakes in North America. Between 1811 and 1812, four catastrophic earthquakes with magnitude estimates greater than 7.0 occurred during a three-month period. Hundreds, if not thousands, of aftershocks followed over a period of several years. Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, in southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana, is capable of producing ‘New Madrid’ size earthquake events. The epicenter of the zone is located between Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and West Franklin, Indiana (in Posey County). Since the discovery of this seismic zone, earthquake awareness and preparedness have increased. Geologists in Indiana and Illinois have found liquefaction sites and sand dikes that show evidence of prehistoric earthquakes in the region.