With all the seismic activity we have had in the past day alone, we have had many calls and emails from concerned residents. I was in a meeting at 3:15 yesterday in Irving and admit I was a bit startled when the first of several tremors hit. While no damage or injuries were reported, these tremors are unsettling not only because they are uncharacteristic but also because we don’t yet know the cause or their conclusion.
The seismic activity affects all of North Texas, not just Irving. Yesterday, I contacted Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and discussed creating a joint investigative team to study the nature of these quakes, why they are occurring, what future activity we can expect and, if necessary, what steps we should take to protect the public including educational outreach, related emergency management protocols and appropriate building standards. I also reached out to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins to ask for his assistance as the executive in charge of the county’s disaster and emergency preparedness. In addition, we are seeking aid from the state in helping us understand why this is occurring and what, if anything, can be done about it.
We are proactively communicating to our citizens through the city’s website, email blasts and press releases to share with them what we know about the quakes and steps we are taking. There are also several public meetings coming up to answer questions and share information:
- Jan 12: Breakfast with the Mayor
- Jan 15: Council Meeting to include a presentation by SMU’s seismologist
- Jan 20: Town Hall meeting at Irving Arts Center
We will use all available resources to understand what is taking place and, if needed, take appropriate action. While some are making assumptions as to the cause of these tremors, we are not in the business of assuming when it comes to the safety of our residents. Our Council is committed to ensuring the public health, safety and welfare of our residents and will continue to consult with the experts to see if they can shed light on this.
Thank all of you for remaining calm and informed throughout this time. Hopefully, we will soon have a better understanding of the nature of these recent quakes and what measures to take to ensure the city and our residents are prepared and informed.
