What happened to the Bay Bridge during the 1989 earthquake?
A 1.25-mile segment of the two-level Cypress Street Viaduct along the Nimitz Freeway (Interstate 880), just south of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, collapsed during the quake, resulting in 42 fatalities when the upper level of the road crashed onto the cars on the lower level.
Did the Bay Bridge collapse in an earthquake?
On Oct. 17, 1989, ABC7 News reporter Leslie Brinkley was crossing the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on her way to a routine assignment. Her story and her life changed in 15 seconds when the bridge collapsed as the Loma Prieta earthquake hit.
What earthquake made the Bay Bridge collapse?
On the afternoon of 17 October 1989, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake rocked the San Francisco Bay Area, killing 63 people and causing $13bn in damages as it toppled a chunk of the Bay Bridge, collapsed a section of freeway in Oakland, and crumbled thousands of buildings from San Francisco to Santa Cruz.
Why did the Bay Bridge collapse?
Silhouette of part of the Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland. A section of the Bay Bridge’s upper deck collapsed during an earthquake that struck the San Francisco area on October 17, 1989, requiring lengthy repair (see San Francisco earthquake of 1989).
How many died in Bay Bridge collapse?
In reality, 42 of the 63 earthquake victims were killed when the viaduct collapsed. Residents of West Oakland rushed to the scene, using their own ladders and ropes to climb up into the wreckage and rescue people trapped within.
What was California’s biggest earthquake?
Dozens of aftershocks followed, including some of magnitude 4.0 or greater. The magnitude 6.0 earthquake was the largest to hit the area since the magnitude 6.1 quake in 1994. Some viewers shared their reaction to the recent earthquake, many comparing it to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco.
Is it safe to be in a car during an earthquake?
Your car is a safe place to be during an earthquake, as long as it is not in the path of anything that could be dangerous, like a bridge, power line, or pillar. Turn on the Radio: During an earthquake, instructions from the government or local authorities are broadcast over the radio.