Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

ALBANY, GA -- This week, earthquakes measuring more than five magnitudes struck Virginia, New York and Washington, D.C.

So what is the likelihood that a tremor would shake up the Peach State?

They are discussed in the Albany-Dougherty Emergency Management Agency’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan, which was updated and approved this year.

“In that plan we analyze natural and manmade disasters that may befall our community and earthquakes are actually one of those that we review,” says EMA Deputy Director Jim Vaught.

Experts say the chance of a severe, damaging earthquake hitting Southwest Georgia is one in 1,000 every year and 25 percent in the next 25 years for all of the eastern states.

“If it happens within our seismic area it's very possible as a finger coming out of it we would feel the tremors as an aftereffect but it's a rare occurrence that it would happen in Southwest Georgia,” says Vaught.

Earthquakes are rare enough in Southwest Georgia that insurance agencies typically do not recommend earthquake coverage. There is an additional earthquake endorsement people can add to their homeowners insurance if they feel the need for the extra coverage.

“I don't know if I'd recommend it,” says Eric Dellinger, Owner of Alfa Insurance. “It carries replacement cost. Generally, insurers try to carry a higher deductible in this endorsement to try to offset some of the extra premium.”

Officials say there are other natural – and even manmade -- disasters Southwest Georgians should be more aware about.

“The ones that are highest for us would be of course our severe weather -- which could have thunderstorms, flooding, hazardous materials -- we have trains and trucks that go down the road all day long carrying those materials, and also hurricanes and tornadoes,” says Vaught.

Vaught says we are currently in the midst of hurricane season, so to be prepared in case one hits close to home.