The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

COLUMBIA, MO. -- While more than 1,000 people are feared dead from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, the good news is that every Mizzou student studying in Japan is alright.

The Coordinator of MU’s Japanese Studies Program said all of his students are safe in Japan and far away from the devastation.

MU Japanese Studies Program Coordinator Dr. Martin Holman said, “We’ve heard from everyone.  The International Center at the University, one of the first things they did was confirm everyone’s location and condition.  All of the students are accounted for.  We have students at a number of institutions across Japan.”

The Red Cross in Jefferson City is doing everything possible to help with this tragic disaster.

Organization leaders said they are on high alert in case some members need to be deployed.

Capital Area Red Cross Chapter Director Beth Bauer said, “When it’s this far removed from us, geographically, we will deploy people. We won't deploy any trucks on anything like that.”

The Capital Area Chapter volunteers and emergency response vehicle have been placed on alert in response to the tsunami that hit the west coast.  If the chapter is called into service, at least two trained volunteers will be sent with the vehicle for at least 2 weeks.  Other volunteers could also be deployed for as many as 3 weeks.  Bauer said the best way anyone can help with disaster is donate funds to the Red Cross.

You can donate by texting 90999 or stop by the office on 431 East McCarty Street and donate in person.

An earthquake expert at St. Louis University said the strong quake that struck Japan should be a wakeup call for those living along the New Madrid Fault.

Dr. Robert Hermann said the next big quake can happen at any time.  It has been 200 years since the massive quake centered in New Madrid, Mo., rattled much of the United States but Hermann said everyone living near the fault needs to be prepared.  Hermann told KSDK-TV that the earthquake in Japan shook so much that St. Louis moved up and down about a quarter of an inch.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.