New Madrid and St. Louis (Manchester, Clayton: insurance, homes, neighborhoods)

[goat314]

Would a large eruption of the New Madrid Seismic Zone completely destroy St. Louis or would we just see significant damage?

[masterwood89]

There was actually a show that the History Channel did a couple years ago about the New Madrid and the effects it would have on St. Louis and Memphis. St. Louis would be completely destroyed, especially since the city is primarily brick.

[aragx6]

I've heard before that a 7.0 quake could destroy as many as 60% of the buildings in St. Louis. 7 would be on the low end of what we would expect from the next "big one."

[tlw]

Look up New Madrid Fault on wikipedia. In 1811-1812 an estimated 8.0 New Madrid quake hit and aftershocks. Population in that area of the country was very thin. Some of the descriptions from it were chilling ....... Mississippi River flowed backwards, permanently changed the Mississippi delta, rang church bells in the northeast, liquified the terrain and ground.

The area is now obviously much denser populated. Pretty much zero earth quake damage prevention on buildings, roads, bridges, overpasses, electric system, gas lines, anything! Imagine a quake that is many times stronger than the Bay Area one in '92 with the epicenter in the midwest.

[1greatcity]

In the event of a major quake felt in the St Louis area, there is the real potential for a disaster of major proportions. Here's one of the worst-case scenarios:
The oldest buildings in the inner core of the city would sustain the worst damage-- most would likely collapse. Nearly every brick and masonry building in the area would be heavily damaged. Wood frame homes would fair best, but some poorly-built wood structures would still be reduced to rubble. Parking garages would be pancaked, with the vehicles inside crushed flat. Highrise buildings in downtown St Louis and Clayton would rain shards of glass on the streets. There would be a number of fatalities, and hospitals would be inundated with the injured. Old sewer lines would break, emitting noxious fumes. Gas lines would rupture, sparking fires and possibly explosions. Due to runway damage, Lambert would completely shut down. Metro trains would derail. Some roads and interstates would be impassable. Area bridges would be damaged and declared unsafe to cross. Due to this, any evacuation of displaced residents would be impeded, leaving only one major route in and out of the city/county area (Manchester Road.) Power outages would be widespread. Without refrigeration, much of the area's food supply would be spoil, and there would be a food shortage. There would be looting in broad daylight; Marshall law would have to be declared. The area would be crippled for months while aid slowly arrives. Though it is relatively inexpensive, few St Louisans have earthquake insurance. Without the means to rebuild, some residents would have to permanently abandon their homes.

[lifelongMOgal]

New Madrid Seismic Zone - maps of past quake activity

http://www.showme.net/~fkeller/quake/commerce1.htm

[flynavyj]

Originally Posted by 1greatcity

In the event of a major quake felt in the St Louis area, there is the real potential for a disaster of major proportions. Here's one of the worst-case scenarios:
The oldest buildings in the inner core of the city would sustain the worst damage-- most would likely collapse. Nearly every brick and masonry building in the area would be heavily damaged. Wood frame homes would fair best, but some poorly-built wood structures would still be reduced to rubble. Parking garages would be pancaked, with the vehicles inside crushed flat. Highrise buildings in downtown St Louis and Clayton would rain shards of glass on the streets. There would be a number of fatalities, and hospitals would be inundated with the injured. Old sewer lines would break, emitting noxious fumes. Gas lines would rupture, sparking fires and possibly explosions. Due to runway damage, Lambert would completely shut down. Metro trains would derail. Some roads and interstates would be impassable. Area bridges would be damaged and declared unsafe to cross. Due to this, any evacuation of displaced residents would be impeded, leaving only one major route in and out of the city/county area (Manchester Road.) Power outages would be widespread. Without refrigeration, much of the area's food supply would be spoil, and there would be a food shortage. There would be looting in broad daylight; Marshall law would have to be declared. The area would be crippled for months while aid slowly arrives. Though it is relatively inexpensive, few St Louisans have earthquake insurance. Without the means to rebuild, some residents would have to permanently abandon their homes.

Thankfully, most residents live in the county and have frame construction. We also all have guns to take care of the looting. Just kidding. I could see some substantial damage to the city of St. Louis, especially the older housing stocks...The newer buildings would probably have issues too, but i'd be interested to see how well they'd hold up. Damage at the airport would be more than possible, but unless the runways are totally destroyed, i don't see any reason they couldn't be utilized. And hopefully as opposed to waiting for FEMA to come in and help you out by putting a trailer on your lawn, our neighborhoods would be strong enough to pull together and help the other residents out...Could be a bonding experience...If you're not being looted.

[aragx6]

This is like the least fun thread ever.

Here's a picture of a Boston Terrier puppy to make you all feel better:

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by aragx6

This is like the least fun thread ever.

Here's a picture of a Boston Terrier puppy to make you all feel better:

"You must spread some reputation around before giving to aragx6 again"

[latetotheparty]

Originally Posted by aragx6

This is like the least fun thread ever.

Here's a picture of a Boston Terrier puppy to make you all feel better:

i can smell the puppy breath from here!!!