St. Louis to host large-scale major disaster response training

ST. LOUIS – The downtown St. Louis area is going to be busier than usual over the next few days, with major disaster response training taking place in the St. Louis region starting Monday.

In fact, 8th Street and Clark Avenue, by Busch Stadium, are going to be one of the main areas where the drills will be happening.

Organizers tell us 8th and Clark will be closed during the daytime hours as the disaster response training is unfolding.

This three-day training is being called dense urban terrain emergency exercises. It is taking place Monday through Wednesday.

In collaboration with the Michigan National Guard, the Missouri National Guard is conducting the exercises.

The drill scenario involves an 8.4-magnitude earthquake along the new Madrid seismic fault.

The exercises will focus on a simulated response to structural damage, civilian casualties and chemical contamination in the vicinity of Busch Stadium during a baseball game.

Organizers say some 500 people are taking part in the drill.

It also involves river crossings along the Mississippi between St. Charles and Grafton in the event that bridges could be damaged by a major disaster like an earthquake.

The exercises are not open to the public. Authorities say drivers along Route 40 and Interstate 64 near Busch Stadium might see military equipment and exercises.

I-55 drivers could also see military vehicles early Monday morning. The exercise will use military helicopters and vehicles, damaged vehicles and debris and multiple staging areas near the stadium.

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