State and local disaster management experts will be on hand today to talk about the potential for a major earthquake to strike the region and how to prepare.

Southeast Missouri State University and the city of Cape Girardeau will host an earthquake preparedness seminar at the River Campus.

A major earthquake along the New Madrid fault would affect a five-state region and damage communities within 350 miles of the epicenter, said Jim Watkins, community emergency response team coordinator for Southeast Missouri.

He said Cape Girardeau sits in a seismic zone that has a major earthquake every 200 to 500 years. In 2011, it will be the 200th anniversary of a series of earthquakes that affected the region, he said.

"One thing about earthquakes, they are not predictable," he said.

The event will feature the History Channel program "Earthquakes in the Heartland," which documents earthquakes along the fault. A panelist of experts will discuss ways to prepare for a major earthquake.

Watkins said a magnitude-5 earthquake would cause damage, but a magnitude-6.8 triggers emergency management by the state. Keeping a week's supply of food, water and medicine is the best way to prepare, he said.

Panelists include Sue Evers, program specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 7; Steve Besemer, earthquake program manager for the State Emergency Management Agency; John Mallott of the Kennett Fire Department; Mark Hasheider, Cape Girardeau assistant fire chief; and John Helderman, a retired teacher from Scott City. Dr. Frank Nickell, director of the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University, will moderate the discussion.

The event is free will be at 7 p.m. in the Glenn Convocation Center at Southeast's River Campus.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

518 South Fountain Street Cape Girardeau, MO