By Angela Hatton
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-897322.mp3
Murray, KY – If an earthquake happens along the New Madrid fault line, western Kentucky will take the hardest hit. That's why regional emergency management officials and emergency response teams met in Murray Monday to kickoff an effort to strengthen their earthquake plans. State Emergency Management Director General John Heltzel says disasters like tornadoes are short term impact, and they're gone.
"Earthquake. There's no magic box; it's not back together until we put it all back together and we may not be able to put it all back together. It's not just about the immediate response, although that's critical, the long term response."
Heltzel plans to meet with teams in the 24 westernmost counties in Kentucky in the coming months. He says they will develop a customized earthquake plan for each county. Teams will test those plans at an earthquake exercise a little over a year from now.