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Southeast Missourians offer their views on earthquakes, preparedness, insurance
By Jill Bock
Standard Democrat
NEW MADRID, Mo. - One of the questions that drew Brian Houston to the Bootheel was answered within two days.
Houston, director of the University of Missouri Disaster and Community Crisis Center in Columbia, Mo.,, stopped first in Cape Girardeau, Mo., then in New Madrid to conduct focus groups with local homeowners. He explained he wanted to gain an understanding of how people in the area are aware of the threat of earthquakes and whether they are prepared for one.
He discovered 50 miles makes a big difference.
“In Cape I was surprised at how little people thought about earthquakes or worried about them at all. They just sort of said that is something that might happen … but it isn’t going to effect us,” Houston said. “In New Madrid I have definitely noticed that people are aware of the risk and live with it. Some people say, ‘God will take care of whatever happens’ and others will say, ‘Well, it might happen but I can’t worry about it on the day-to-day basis.’”
From these focus groups, Houston said he and the others taking part in the research are trying to establish a base line. From there, they plan to develop programs and resources to help people be more aware and better prepared about earthquakes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone as well as for use by insurers in providing new earthquake coverage.
Members of New Madrid’s afternoon focus group ranged from a middle school student to senior citizens. Each said small tremors are a way of life.
Each also realized scientists say the New Madrid Fault Line is far overdue for a major quake and a major quake could occur at any time.
“I think there is a possibility of a big earthquake,” one participant added. “They have told us if there is a a big earthquake we would be on our own for probably two to three weeks with no help. So that is pretty scary.”
Despite the possibility of an earthquake, none of the focus members had specific earthquake supplies currently stored at their homes. Although several participants noted during the prediction by Iben Browning in the 1980s of a major quake along the fault line, they had put together supplies.
One participant explained preparedness goes in cycles. When there is a major tornado or discussion of earthquakes, he would put away supplies, then after a few months dip into the supplies and use them up.
“When you live here you just kind of get complacent with it,” added another participant.
Only one member of the group had earthquake insurance on their home. Some participants cited the expense while another noted fewer companies were making it available.
Lisa Groshong joined Houston at the table with the focus group participants. Groshong, who is with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners out of Kansas City, Mo., said the number of people with earthquake insurance has fallen dramatically in the past 20 years along the New Madrid Fault Line.
Lori Croy, with the Department of Commerce and Insurance, agreed.
“Since 2000 there has been a drop in the number of residences covered by insurance in this area of over 60 percent,” said Croy, who was monitoring the group.
The cost of earthquake insurance, according to a DCI news release, has risen almost 800 percent in the past two decades.
“As part of the fact-finding we are trying to . . . start conversations between the Missouri Department of Insurance, insurance companies, state governments, FEMA and SEMA (with) all of us coming together to look at that situation,” she explained.”
By working together, Croy continued, they hope to determine not only why people no longer have insurance but also how to educate people about the need for the insurance and find ways to provide it.
A participant volunteered that perhaps what many residents are banking on is that if a major earthquake occurs, the federal government will step in and help residents. Another pointed out if a major earthquake occurred the losses would be magnified by flooding and fires and most homeowners have that coverage.
All agreed most homeowners would be willing to make adjustments to their homes and property to be able to obtain affordable earthquake insurance.
Should their be an earthquake, the focus group also agreed, New Madrid would remain a tight-knit community.
As one participant observed, “If it happens, you would see neighbors helping neighbors.”