I’m reminded that it’s been 15 years (ah, tempus fugit) since the Loma Prieta earthquake on Oct. 17, 1989. I was in the seventh grade, living in Daly City. Most of the earthquake and aftermath is a blur to me now–somewhere I’ve kept a copy of the San Francisco Chronicle from a day or two after the quake–but I do remember a few specific images: when it struck, in the early evening, I was at home. I was doing homework at the dining room table, and everything started to shake. When I realized that this was more than just a little rumble, I dove under the table. I remember seeing the living-room stereo speakers, each about four feet tall, fall forward. When I got up, the chandelier was still swaying slightly. I went into the kitchen, where my grandfather had been. It seemed he stood at the counter the whole time. The power was out, and the empty street outside, which is usually quiet anyway, made it seem all the more surreal.
» The Chronicle is running a series this week called “15 Seconds That Changed San Francisco” (via Beaverhausen).
One reply on “The big one”
I remember the earthquake quite well. I was on the old 8 bus line on Market Street when the shaking started, and wound up walking home once the power for the bus went out. I’ll have to do a longer write-up on this soon :).