20 years after Loma Prieta, San Franciscans are still educating

SAN FRANCISCO — Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake. According to the website for The Big Rumble, on October 17, 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake struck the Bay Area. It was largest earthquake on the San Andreas fault since the great San Francisco earthquake in April 1906.

The earthquake, also known as the “World Series Quake,” caused 63 deaths, 3,757 injuries, and an estimated $6-10 billion in property loss. It caused severe damage as far as 70 miles away from its epicenter; most notably in San Francisco, Oakland, and the San Francisco Peninsula.

On the 20th anniversary of the most significant disaster in our recent history, we come together as a community to remember those who lost their lives, comfort those who lost their loved ones, and honor those who emerged as heroes on that day.

At the same time, this commemoration provides an opportunity to reinvigorate our commitment to making emergency preparedness an everyday part of our lives.

The Big Rumble is a week-long series of special events designed to connect our communities with preparedness resources. Committed 2 Community is honored to have been able to partner with the agencies of the City and County of San Francisco and its community partners to pilot The Big Rumble in its inaugural year. City departments with a major role in coordinating the events include the Department of Emergency Management, Department of Public Health, San Francisco Fire Department, and the Office of the City Administrator.

To learn more about the events, visit www.thebigrumble.org.