Picture your favorite Cardinal knocking one over the fence in front of a packed crowd of 44,125 at Busch Stadium until an enormous, 8.4-magnitude earthquake disrupts the moment. That scenario – a massive earthquake along the New Madrid Seismic Zone that wakes up after hundreds of years of dormancy, is what emergency responders in St. Louis have built this week’s major disaster training exercise around.

Training Scenario and Objective

The disaster training exercise will take place in downtown St. Louis and other locations across the region Monday through Wednesday. Throughout the day hundreds of local emergency and military responders will practice in designed drills for what could be a catastrophic event. Those drills are needed, especially when remembering that just over 200 years ago Missouri’s New Madrid Seismic Zone produced some of the most intense tremors ever recorded in the contiguous United States.

• Dates: July 15-17
• Downtown St. Louis, Busch Stadium, BNSF rail yard; Mississippi River crossing

Simulated Disaster Details

In the exercise, a range of emergencies will be simulated by authorities:

• Magnitude: 8.4
• Epicenter: New Madrid Seismic Zone

Scenarios:

•  Bridges are damaged
•  People are trapped in rubble
•  Trains derail, releasing toxic chemicals

Coordination and Execution

East-West Gateway Council of Governments spokeswoman Nancy Cambria said the drills are critical. “It’s not a show,” said Cambria. “This is a valuable opportunity to smooth out preparation for situations when a disaster requires help at a scale that local authorities can’t handle by themselves and require military assistance.”

Around 500 people like volunteers and hospital personnel, will be enrolled for drills. In cooperation with the Missouri National Guard, the exercises will be facilitated by Task Force 46 out of Michigan who plays a role in responding to catastrophic events.

Historical Waveforms and Seismic Hazards

The New Madrid Seismic Zone is infamous for releasing three massive earthquakes from December 1811 to February 1812, all expected to have been between a magnitude of 7 and 8. These are among the largest in the country’s history and strongest recorded east of the Rocky Mountains. The researchers say the fault system is like a “sleeping giant” that has released magnitude 7 to 8 earthquakes every 500 years, based on geologic evidence of past quakes.

At a 2022 event in St. Louis, experts stated there is roughly a 7% to 10% chance of the fault system producing a major earthquake in the next 50 years, with a magnitude of about 7.5. This potential disaster looms as a regional doomsday event, inspiring regular planning summits among Missouri officials and emergency personnel.

Emergency Drills and Public Safety

This week’s workouts represent the first time St. Louis will put on such large-scale training sessions Nashville also practiced in drills like this last year. The drills will include military vehicles and helicopters, as well damaged wrecks and debris with airlifted mannequins.

Key Locations:

•  Busch Stadium
•  BNSF rail yard in St. Louis
•  Mississippi River crossing: Grafton to St. Charles County

The areas being used for the drills will not be opened to public visitation, according to an advisory provided by local agencies. Exercises will mean the west side of Busch Stadium along 8th Street closed during daylight hours This is also the spot of Stan Musial statue.

Drill Activities and Coordination

•  Reconnaissance
•  Urban search and rescue
•  Mass casualty decontamination
•  Structural and infrastructure damage assessment

These activities will take place in the vicinity of Busch Stadium and the Missouri River between Grafton, Illinois, and St. Charles, Missouri. The exercises will be visible to the public, but officials ask that no one visits the drill area while it is in progress.

Impact on Traffic and Local Areas

Interstate-64/US-40 runs along the south end of the stadium, and motorists are advised to stay alert and avoid being distracted by the exercises. Additionally, drivers along Route 40, Interstate 64, and I-55 might see military equipment and exercises, including military vehicles early Monday morning.

Conclusion

The disaster training in St. Louis this week serves as a crucial preparation exercise for a potential massive earthquake. By involving a broad range of emergency and military responders, the drills aim to enhance coordination and readiness for a disaster that could have severe impacts on the region. As residents observe the exercises, they are reminded of the importance of preparedness and the collaborative efforts required to manage such catastrophic events effectively.