According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) extends from just west of Memphis TN., into southern Illinois and “many of the largest historic earthquakes to hit the continental United States occurred in the winter of 1811-1812 along the NMSZ. (USGS, 2007). This means that when another large 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 impacted in those urban areas and in all the surrounding rural areas as well for "the big event" and many participated last spring in "Nationwide Exercise (NLE) 2011, one of the largest emergency exercises in U.S. history and the first of its size to simulate a natural disaster." . (Pittman, 2011). Emergency planning for a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in the NMSZ for the City of Memphis must follow guidelines for a catastrophic event, that is, an event of such large scale that normal jurisdictional mutual aid agreements will not be sufficient. The emergency plan for Memphis must include response and recovery assistance from other states, especially those that may not be affected by the event. Furthermore, support from the US federal government would need to be agreed upon in advance, and perhaps support from neighboring countries such as Canada and Mexico might also be prudent. Infrastructure and structural damage to buildings and homes may require mass evacuations from the city of Memphis following the earthquake, which will require rapid repair of major transportation routes in and out of the city, as well as repairs to rail lines and trails airports. Pre-determined destinations for displaced persons will also need to be planned. Many residents will choose to evacuate on their own if they are able and it will be necessary to have established resources (gas, food, water, etc.) along the evacuation routes. Because Memphis is located on the largest possible river system in the country The effects of the earthquake on the river itself must be considered. The long-term consequences of disrupted freight transportation along the Mississippi River corridor have the potential to affect international food supplies. Reports of the 1811-1812 earthquakes in the NMSZ provide indications that the course of the river could also be changed and that this possibility also has far-reaching effects on the trade, settlement, economic and social structures now in place.