Oklahoma Lawmaker: State Needs to Review Earthquake Issues

In light of the increasing number and severity of earthquakes in Oklahoma, state Rep. Mike Shelton said lawmakers need to review disaster preparedness-and-response policies.

“I represent much of eastern Oklahoma County where many of these earthquakes have been centered,” said Shelton, D-Oklahoma City. “With this weekend’s latest and most serious earthquake, I believe lawmakers should determine if the public is being adequately prepared to deal with these situations. We are seeing almost every kind of natural disaster in Oklahoma and we must empower our citizens to deal with these eventualities.”

Shelton said he would host a meeting in early January, shortly before the start of the next legislative session, to discuss earthquake issues. The meeting will include presentations from geologists and other experts.

Among other things, the meeting will focus on the factors leading to the increased number of earthquakes in Oklahoma, whether the state can expect more of the same in the future, the potential severity of future earthquakes, and how citizens should prepare.

In particular, Shelton said the meeting would focus on disaster-response policies in public schools.

“Oklahoma students currently go through tornado drills, but earthquakes have not been part of disaster planning at our schools,” Shelton said. “That may need to change.”

He plans to reserve a bill to carry any necessary legislative proposals related to school policies and earthquake preparedness.

“It is better to be prepared for an event that never occurs than to have our schoolchildren jeopardized due to poor planning,” Shelton said. “I hope this meeting will provide insight on the best way to respond to the recent events in Oklahoma.”

Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Legislation Oklahoma Earthquake