M A S T E R P A G E
Disaster Script
6.2a
At 10:05 a.m. today, Tuesday, September 26, 1995, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the community. At noon,
the following damage had been reported:
The downtown area was hardest hit. People have reported that most shelves, bookcases and display stands were
knocked over. Masonry structures have sustained major damage, brick facades are collapsing, chimneys are
falling, and some buildings have serious structural cracks. No fatalities have yet been reported.
The hospital reports that its three-story gerontology unit has “pancaked,” causing the second and third floors to
collapse on the first floor. At the time of collapse, 34 persons—29 patients and 5 staff members—were in that part
of the building. Other parts of the hospital suffered nonstructural damage, some disruption to power, and an end to
all but lifesaving procedures. The latest information indicates that the hospital will be at 50% operational capacity
by 2:30 this afternoon.
Of the three fire stations, two have stayed operational. The downtown station has been destroyed. Fire department
personnel were able to move only one pumper wagon before the building collapsed on the ladder truck,
ambulance, and emergency generator truck.
This can be changed, embellished, tailored, and expanded for your community and your students. Additional
effects that may be included:
• Large fire has broken out in downtown area
• Water mains are cut
• 20% of the population has sustained injuries
• Utility lines are down
• Animals in the zoo have escaped from their cages
• Looters are rampaging through downtown
• Sewers have backed up, endangering public health
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