Shortly after an early-morning earthquake centered in Wabash County in southeastern Illinois, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to activate the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield to assess the impact. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was reported to be six miles east of West Salem, Illinois, near the Edward County and Wabash County line. After activating early this morning, the SEOC began receiving initial reports of minor damage in southern Illinois.

At 4:37 a.m. Central Standard Time, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake was reported, with shaking felt throughout Illinois. Personnel from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Illinois State Police (ISP), and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have staff in southern Illinois assessing damage.

"The State Emergency Operations Center is in contact with officials throughout southern Illinois to get information about the impact of the earthquake," Gov. Blagojevich said. "Fortunately at this point, the damage reported appears to be minor. We are prepared to offer any assistance needed."

Representatives from IEMA, IDOT, ISP, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Illinois National Guard (ING), Secretary of State, Central Management Services (CMS), Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Office of the Attorney General and the American Red Cross reported to the SEOC early this morning.

Information about the earthquake and preparedness information is available on the Ready Illinois Web site at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.