Federal Response To Northeastern Nevada Earthquake 

Release Date: February 21, 2008
Release Number: R9-08-001

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The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has mobilized its regional operations to assist emergency managers in Nevada determine the extent of damage and identify necessary federal assistance and assets following a strong earthquake near the state’s eastern border with Utah this morning.

So far, state and local responders have been meeting the needs of the residents in the affected area, and relief organizations such as the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross are actively working in concert to shelter displaced residents. Additionally, the Las Vegas Urban Search and Rescue team has been alerted for possible deployment and the Nevada National Guard is stand-by to provide support as needed.

Specialists from FEMA are in Nevada to support the response efforts already underway, and more federal resources are being sent to meet needs as they arise or are identified. Specifically, the federal efforts underway include:

FEMA Region IX, based in Oakland, Calif., has activated its Regional Response Coordination Center to coordinate requests for federal assistance and communicate with state and local emergency managers in the affected area. Regional disaster specialists have been identifying potential resources for emergency command and control equipment, water, Meals Ready to Eat, sheltering operations and joint state-federal preliminary damage assessment teams.

FEMA has deployed a regional Emergency Response Team-Advance to the Nevada state emergency operations in Carson City. Among other disaster specialists from FEMA, the team includes an earthquake specialist capable of providing technical assistance to the state and a structural engineer from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a 6.0-magnitude earthquake centered 11 miles east, southeast of Wells, Nev., near the Utah border. The earthquake’s depth was 6.2 miles below the surface.

While state, local and federal responders assess damage and work to protect lives and property, it is critical for residents in the impacted to be aware of the potential for aftershocks and ongoing dangerous conditions due to the earthquake.

Residents can help themselves and the emergency responders by knowing the following:

What to do after an Earthquake

More information about earthquakes. A wealth of information on preparing for, and recovering from, disasters is available online at www.ready.gov and www.fema.gov. These websites have reading material for families, pet owners, business and community leaders, plus checklists and practice exercises.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 21-Feb-2008 17:41:56