Interesting story about a Cherokee prophet named Skaquaw who lived new Fort Francis gave this warning before the first quake.
“Watch for a sign, and the earth will soon shake, like a horse who shakes the dust from his back; but be sure to move away from St. Francis before the next sign manifests itself.”
Many people did move away because of his prophecy and Cherokee legend has it that it save many lives. https://osiyo.tv/new-madrid-earthquakes/