According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) extends from just west of Memphis, Tennessee to southern Illinois and "many of the largest historic areas." Earthquakes that struck the continental United States occurred during the winter of 1811-1812 along the NMSZ. (USGS, 2007). This means that when another major earthquake hits the region, cities like Memphis TN., Cape Girardeau and St. Louis MO., Paducah KY., and possibly Nashville TN. and Little Rock AR., will be severely affected. Emergency managers in these urban areas as well as all surrounding rural areas have been making plans and preparing for "the big one" and many participated in the "National Level Exercise (NLE)" last spring. ) 2011, one of the largest emergency exercises in U.S. history and the first of its scale to simulate a natural disaster. (Pittman, 2011).Emergency planning for a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the City of Memphis NMSZ should follow the guidelines for a catastrophic event, that is, an event whose magnitude is so large that normal mutual legal assistance agreements will not suffice. The emergency plan for Memphis must provide for response and recovery assistance from other states, including those that may not be affected by the event. Additionally, support from the United States federal government should be agreed in advance, and perhaps support from neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico could also be prudent. Damage to infrastructure and structure of buildings and homes could require mass evacuations of the city of Memphis following the earthquake and this will require rapid repair of major transportation routes into and out of the city, as well as repair of railway lines and airport runways. Predetermined destinations for evacuees must also be planned. Many residents will choose to evacuate on their own if they are able to do so and a supply of resources (gas, food, water, etc.) along evacuation routes will need to be in place. Because Memphis is located on the largest possible river system in the country. The effects of the earthquake on the river itself must be taken into account. The long-term consequences of disrupting freight transportation along the Mississippi River corridor could affect international food supplies. Reports of the 1811-1812 earthquakes in the NMSZ provide indications that even the course of the river could be altered and that this possibility would also have far-reaching effects on trade, settlement, economic structures and social services currently in place..