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Emergency Officials: Public Unprepared For Quakes

DENVER (AP) -- Emergency planners say most Coloradans are unprepared for an earthquake even though officials have spent years studying the consequences of a big one.

University of Colorado geological sciences professor Anne Sheehan says earthquakes are infrequent in Colorado and residents are more concerned about wildfires and floods.

State Division of Emergency Management director Dave Hard says people should be prepared to take care of themselves for 72 hours after a major earthquake and have food, shelter and water on hand.

The warnings follow Monday's magnitude-5.3 quake in southern Colorado, the state's largest since 1967. The latest earthquake caused minor damage and no injuries.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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