September 27, 2013

"test of time" 27 of 30 - Loma Prieta earthquake, 1989


photo by Donald Kinney

It was a wild ride on October 17, 1989 when a few swift jolts brought the Bay Area to a standstill. 63 were killed, 3757 were injured, and thousands were left homeless. A section of the Bay Bridge failed, dropping cars onto the section below. Unreinforced parking garages under homes in the exclusive Marina district collapsed and blazes popped up, fed by severed gas lines. A brick wall fell on 5 people in the South of Market area, killing them all.

And of course, the most dramatic emergency was created when the supports to the upper level of the Cypress Freeway in Oakland failed, pancaking the upper roadway to the lower level, smashing cars and trucks like toys and killing many. I made this photo several weeks later at night while heavy machinery was clearing out what was left of the destruction.


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2 comments:

Zoomie said...

That is a powerful photograph, graphic and haunting.

AphotoAday said...

Yes, it sure it, isn't it, Zoomie! Best regards, Don

 
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