On October 16, 1989 a friend called and offered what was billed as "An Opportunity of a Lifetime." That was the biggest understatement of my life. It resulted in my being in the nose bleed center filed seats at Candlestick at 5:04 pm. But for that invitation, I would have been on my way home to Davis after having just visited a client in Alameda. My habitual travel schedule and route would have had me on the Nimitz at the site of the collapse exactly at 5:04 pm. So while I didn't get to see a ball game that, I'm alive to appreciate this day and remember that not everyone was so fortunate.
I was based in Alameda for work, living in Davis, and had finished the work day at a site in San Rafael and headed back to the Alameda office. We thought about stopping by 7-11 for a snack which would have take about five minutes, but decided to get back sooner. We passed over the upper deck of the Cypress Structure, went through the tunnel under the channel, pulled into the rear parking lot of our building, and it hit.
We bounced around on the shock absorbers, and the dust in the lot rose up as if a strong wind had hit it. I remember thinking we couldn't be safer than in a car next to a one-story modern building. When it was over I called my mom in Palo Alto on the early cell my company provided, which luckily was on a minor carrier that was still operating. My mom was shaken, but not stirred. We weren't supposed to use the early cell for personal use, but I figured they'd let this one slide.
As we looked around, smoke rose from several areas around the Bay, but nothing like the thick black smoke that rose up nearby in Oakland. We later learned these were the burning cars that had been crushed by the Cypress Structure collapse. We timed the trip later and realized if we'd stopped at that 7-11, we probably would have been on the top deck. I've tried for years to find out what happened to those on top, to no available, but I imagine some were injured dropping 20 feet, or thrown off when one side collapsed first, or even drove under a section in front that collapsed second and and were crushed. If anyone knows, please post here.
Miraculously, no one in our office was killed, though many usually would have been commuting on the Cypress right at that time. We concluded most went home early to watch the world series and that saved many lives. One saw the structure collapse in their rear-view mirror seconds after they were on it. A vanpool I used to use saw it collapse in front of them seconds before they were to get on it. One section was reinforced for an onramp and did not collapse. A friend in Berkeley lived across the street from a man who watched the sections in front of him and behind him, but lived as he was in that one section that remained intact.
My favorite story was of one man in our office who lived in Alameda. His girlfriend worked in San Francisco, and they had a plan that if there was ever an earthquake he would take his small boat across the Bay one hour after the earthquake and pick her up at a pre-designated small dock in San Francisco. He did just that, and there she was, waiting. For those who don't remember, the Bay Bridge had a section collapse, and BART didn't run until it was inspected. This was before cell phones, and of course even today cell networks can be knocked out in a natural disaster.
I don't remember when I got back to Davis. I believe I stayed overnight or longer in Alameda as we weren't sure what the roads looked like at first. I do remember we left through the tube from Alameda to Oakland. There were large water leaks at several points in the tube, so it seemed very sketch, but it was open.
The only thing we can expect is death, taxes and another earthquake in the Bay Area... probably all before we are blessed with another A's vs Giants World Series.
All I can say is that this is sure another WOW, Bob! You and Cal Crabill have a lot in common with Forrest Gump: you both managed throughout your lives to be in some rare and amazing places.
I was running a Moot Court competition at King Hall. Felt the earthquake but "hey this is California, it is just an earthquake." To my regret I didn't postpone the evenings arguments. I can remember visiting the Marina District a few weeks later and seeing spray paint on doors left by first responders looking for the dead and injured.
This CA-Earthquake-Sensitive-Girl "felt" the Loma Prieta in Washington DC, no less. Dad and I were fitting in a Monuments Tour before the World Series would be aired. As I looked up at Thomas Jefferson, I felt queasy; and after I determined that he wasn't moving and shaking, I checked my wristwatch ... 8ish pm. When we returned to our room to catch The Game, KCRA's helicopter was flying over a darkened Candlestick Park (not covering the game but surveying the damage of the 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta). We made a wellness call to Dad's 80-something-year-old Aunt Bertha in Oakland who quipped, "I'm fine. When I felt queasy, I braced myself in the door jam until it stopped shaking." That's what a savvy 2nd-generation CA-born-Earthquake-Sensitive-Girl would do.
In Candlestick Park, chatting with Bill Walsh when the Loma Prieta quake hit? That's as iconic an experience as I can imagine. I was at grad school in southern California, feeling grateful to have moved there from Sacramento the previous year. Of course, I had many more quakes there . . .
Actually, first and only time I met him. He was always so calm, cool and collected that I figured if I stood next to him, I'd be okay. His son played for the Ags.
We were in our house in Bodega Bay. The whole house (vintage 1905) swayed during the temblar, and we could see the ground undulating. It was terrifying, but what was even more terrifying was all communications were down after it was over-- no radio, no TV, no telephone. For a few hours we wondered if the City was gone.
We were at home hoping to watch the World Series then the water in our pool was splashing out suddenly and realize my brother was at work at AT&T downtown SF shaking and finally got to his home. In Oakland Hills on top at Ascott Dr at 1-2 AM the next day to find no serious damages and very released wife & two daughters
Yes, I heard about lots of Davis pools that had water splashing against the house. With both bridges down, I had no idea how soon I'd get back to Davis.
Great story! I flew from Seattle to San Diego that evening, passing over Oakland an hour after the quake. SF was eerily dark except for a blazing fire somewhere in the middle of the city.
A wonderful story to remind me of that terrible event. I remember the scenes from the news that have been buried in the recesses of my mind. Such tragedy - and others - makes me remember how wonderful family and life is. And it makes me question the sanity of people who bring to the front such hate and division over politics. Love thy neighbor has been just been thrown out the window. How can anyone say they are prepared to kill their neighbor.
Keep up the writing. Your stories always make me think.
What a remembrance. For me, the main memory was worrying about my brother. He was working in Oakland that day and living in Santa Cruz. We didn’t hear from him for 2 days and assumed he was buried in the freeway collapse. He actually was in Capitola with the quake hit, and he drove home. His electricity and phone were not working (pre cell-phones!) and he hunkered down without knowing how bad this all was. He finally ventured out after two days because “the aftershocks were annoying.” He was surprised to find out how bad it was and also how mad (and relieved) his family was!
15,000 columns with deadlines is an epic achievement. Would you describe your journey as disappointing, being the game wasn't played and your World Series piece wasn't published?
On October 16, 1989 a friend called and offered what was billed as "An Opportunity of a Lifetime." That was the biggest understatement of my life. It resulted in my being in the nose bleed center filed seats at Candlestick at 5:04 pm. But for that invitation, I would have been on my way home to Davis after having just visited a client in Alameda. My habitual travel schedule and route would have had me on the Nimitz at the site of the collapse exactly at 5:04 pm. So while I didn't get to see a ball game that, I'm alive to appreciate this day and remember that not everyone was so fortunate.
Just shows you how close fate knocks, glad you are with us.
Amen
Wow, that's an incredible story, Brian. So very glad you're with us, too.
I was based in Alameda for work, living in Davis, and had finished the work day at a site in San Rafael and headed back to the Alameda office. We thought about stopping by 7-11 for a snack which would have take about five minutes, but decided to get back sooner. We passed over the upper deck of the Cypress Structure, went through the tunnel under the channel, pulled into the rear parking lot of our building, and it hit.
We bounced around on the shock absorbers, and the dust in the lot rose up as if a strong wind had hit it. I remember thinking we couldn't be safer than in a car next to a one-story modern building. When it was over I called my mom in Palo Alto on the early cell my company provided, which luckily was on a minor carrier that was still operating. My mom was shaken, but not stirred. We weren't supposed to use the early cell for personal use, but I figured they'd let this one slide.
As we looked around, smoke rose from several areas around the Bay, but nothing like the thick black smoke that rose up nearby in Oakland. We later learned these were the burning cars that had been crushed by the Cypress Structure collapse. We timed the trip later and realized if we'd stopped at that 7-11, we probably would have been on the top deck. I've tried for years to find out what happened to those on top, to no available, but I imagine some were injured dropping 20 feet, or thrown off when one side collapsed first, or even drove under a section in front that collapsed second and and were crushed. If anyone knows, please post here.
Miraculously, no one in our office was killed, though many usually would have been commuting on the Cypress right at that time. We concluded most went home early to watch the world series and that saved many lives. One saw the structure collapse in their rear-view mirror seconds after they were on it. A vanpool I used to use saw it collapse in front of them seconds before they were to get on it. One section was reinforced for an onramp and did not collapse. A friend in Berkeley lived across the street from a man who watched the sections in front of him and behind him, but lived as he was in that one section that remained intact.
My favorite story was of one man in our office who lived in Alameda. His girlfriend worked in San Francisco, and they had a plan that if there was ever an earthquake he would take his small boat across the Bay one hour after the earthquake and pick her up at a pre-designated small dock in San Francisco. He did just that, and there she was, waiting. For those who don't remember, the Bay Bridge had a section collapse, and BART didn't run until it was inspected. This was before cell phones, and of course even today cell networks can be knocked out in a natural disaster.
I don't remember when I got back to Davis. I believe I stayed overnight or longer in Alameda as we weren't sure what the roads looked like at first. I do remember we left through the tube from Alameda to Oakland. There were large water leaks at several points in the tube, so it seemed very sketch, but it was open.
WOW ... you need a "script writer".
I know, Sherri, I know.
Another incredible story, Alan. For a while the Golden Gate was closed and I didn't get across it until after midnight.
The only thing we can expect is death, taxes and another earthquake in the Bay Area... probably all before we are blessed with another A's vs Giants World Series.
Prediction: The Yolo A's will be hosting the World Series in Yolo County one day soon.
Don't place too much money on that.
All I can say is that this is sure another WOW, Bob! You and Cal Crabill have a lot in common with Forrest Gump: you both managed throughout your lives to be in some rare and amazing places.
It's one of those events where there 62,000 folks in attendance, but now 62 million claim they were actually there.
Wonderful! Just glad you got this Substack opportunity to share it with all of your devoted readers. Your Substack is a model for the rest of us.
geezergoggles.substack.com
You set a high bar! Thanks so much.
Gordon
You are too kind, Gordon.
Best wishes on your Substack.
I was running a Moot Court competition at King Hall. Felt the earthquake but "hey this is California, it is just an earthquake." To my regret I didn't postpone the evenings arguments. I can remember visiting the Marina District a few weeks later and seeing spray paint on doors left by first responders looking for the dead and injured.
And the outcome of the competition is now moot?
Or mute.
What would you have been doing if you had "postponed"?
I have no idea. I applied at Jack in the Box and Taco Bell, but both turned me down.
Can't believe the heroics of many first responders who just jump in do whatever they can.
This CA-Earthquake-Sensitive-Girl "felt" the Loma Prieta in Washington DC, no less. Dad and I were fitting in a Monuments Tour before the World Series would be aired. As I looked up at Thomas Jefferson, I felt queasy; and after I determined that he wasn't moving and shaking, I checked my wristwatch ... 8ish pm. When we returned to our room to catch The Game, KCRA's helicopter was flying over a darkened Candlestick Park (not covering the game but surveying the damage of the 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta). We made a wellness call to Dad's 80-something-year-old Aunt Bertha in Oakland who quipped, "I'm fine. When I felt queasy, I braced myself in the door jam until it stopped shaking." That's what a savvy 2nd-generation CA-born-Earthquake-Sensitive-Girl would do.
She was smart. I wouldn't have remembered to do that.
In Candlestick Park, chatting with Bill Walsh when the Loma Prieta quake hit? That's as iconic an experience as I can imagine. I was at grad school in southern California, feeling grateful to have moved there from Sacramento the previous year. Of course, I had many more quakes there . . .
I remember covering a basketball game at CSUN after the Northridge quake. The campus was a mess.
Especially since the 49ers were in the middle of back-to-back Super Bowl victories.
Me and Bill go way back.
Actually, first and only time I met him. He was always so calm, cool and collected that I figured if I stood next to him, I'd be okay. His son played for the Ags.
We were in our house in Bodega Bay. The whole house (vintage 1905) swayed during the temblar, and we could see the ground undulating. It was terrifying, but what was even more terrifying was all communications were down after it was over-- no radio, no TV, no telephone. For a few hours we wondered if the City was gone.
The city was complete chaos. Citizens in the middle of intersections, bravely trying to direct traffic, but no one knew where to go.
It would be great if you could dig out that unused column, Bob! Maybe it fell to the bottom of your filing cabinet?
Yep. I'm sure in it I was probably complaining that there was only one sandwich in my complimentary box lunch.
Al Michaels is on the case, lol.
We were at home hoping to watch the World Series then the water in our pool was splashing out suddenly and realize my brother was at work at AT&T downtown SF shaking and finally got to his home. In Oakland Hills on top at Ascott Dr at 1-2 AM the next day to find no serious damages and very released wife & two daughters
Thanks for memories Bob
Barry
Yes, I heard about lots of Davis pools that had water splashing against the house. With both bridges down, I had no idea how soon I'd get back to Davis.
Great story! I flew from Seattle to San Diego that evening, passing over Oakland an hour after the quake. SF was eerily dark except for a blazing fire somewhere in the middle of the city.
There was a lot of smoke in a lot of places, Len, but it took a while for the folks in Candlestick to realize how bad things were elsewhere.
Hello Bob
A wonderful story to remind me of that terrible event. I remember the scenes from the news that have been buried in the recesses of my mind. Such tragedy - and others - makes me remember how wonderful family and life is. And it makes me question the sanity of people who bring to the front such hate and division over politics. Love thy neighbor has been just been thrown out the window. How can anyone say they are prepared to kill their neighbor.
Keep up the writing. Your stories always make me think.
Best wishes
Wayne
Thanks so much, Wayne.
Your words are greatly appreciated.
I was stationed at NAS Moffett Field when it hit. Yes, it was violent!
And you lived to tell the tale.
Thanks for your service.
What a remembrance. For me, the main memory was worrying about my brother. He was working in Oakland that day and living in Santa Cruz. We didn’t hear from him for 2 days and assumed he was buried in the freeway collapse. He actually was in Capitola with the quake hit, and he drove home. His electricity and phone were not working (pre cell-phones!) and he hunkered down without knowing how bad this all was. He finally ventured out after two days because “the aftershocks were annoying.” He was surprised to find out how bad it was and also how mad (and relieved) his family was!
That is a crazy story, Carolee. Of course, no one had a cell phone in those days.
15,000 columns with deadlines is an epic achievement. Would you describe your journey as disappointing, being the game wasn't played and your World Series piece wasn't published?
No, Chris, because when I got home I wrote a different column and got it in before deadline and it ran on the front page, a rare treat for me.
We’d like to see that