A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was reported near Lilbourn on Saturday, according to reports from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It happened around 5 p.m., and was centered four miles south-southwest of Lilbourn. While there were no reports of major damages or injuries, residents in the a 12-mile radius area did report their houses shook and pictures fell off the walls.
At his home on Saturday in Lilbourn, Scott Seal of the Portageville Missourian-News, described it as coming in like a wave that really shook things up, although he reported no damages at his residence. Seal said it was the strongest tremor he recalls having hit the area in quite some time. New Madrid County Emergency Management Director, David McClarty, who also owns the Dave's Bestway grocery in Lilbourn, was working the meat counter when the quake hit, and reported hearing a big boom in the store.
Last week, it was reported that a recent update of the USGS National Seismic Hazards Map has identified the New Madrid Seismic Zone has having a larger range of potential earthquake magnitudes than previously thought, over the course of a 50-year period.