I've been through
The first earthquake I can remember living through was October 17, 1989 (19 years and 1 day before Parker was born, in case you were keeping track, ha!). It was also the largest I've ever felt, and is probably one of the most infamous in California.
It occurred at 5:04 p.m. and came in on the Richter scale at 6.9. I was standing outside my Grama's home. After school my sister and I would go to my grandparents house every day and my mom was there to pick us up. My Grama walked us out and we were about to get into my mom's 1987 Toyota pick up truck when the ground started shaking. After the initial shake I don't remember much but I know my mom went to check on everything at our house (2 minutes away) and we stayed at my grandparents. I remember just watching the news coverage, the damage, oh the damage.
Not only did it interrupt the 1989 World Series between two San Francisco Bay Area teams, and was the first major earthquake to be broadcast live in America (thankyouwikipedia). It did major damage to a double decker bridge, the entire top layer collapsed onto the bottom layer. A total of 63 people were killed due to the earthquake and several thousand were injured. We were lucky to not be included in these numbers. While I am not afraid of earthquakes, California girl, remember, it is amazing to me what 10-15 seconds of shaking can do!
I don't think I'll ever forget that earthquake and the details about it. So much so, that when I was induced on October 17th I was glad that there was likely no chance I would deliver Parker that night. I did not want to have a Loma Prieta earthquake anniversary baby. Could I tell you the dates of any of the other earthquakes I've lived through? Nope! But this one, this one I can without the help of wikipedia.
This post was inspired by Mama Kat's writers workshop.
5 comments:
whenever we talk about that earthquake in my family, my sister always asks where she was when it happened but my mom was just barely pregnant with her at the time.
Boy do I remember that day! Nothing like feeling it and watching it at the same time!
Writer's workshop visiting. ;)
Wow! What an experience! Thank you for sharing it! I have been through 2 earthquakes, but I felt neither of them. Thank goodness, because I probably would have freaked out. I'm a Louisiana girl. Toss me a tornado and I know how to deal. Stick me in an earthquake and I would probably have a meltdown! LOL!
Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment on my blog! I am now following yours! Have a great day!
Writer's workshop fly by...I wrote about the same earthquake. What a crazy day. Great story :)
wow, what a story! i'm surprised that the earthquake itself didnt cause you to go into labor...
from mama kat's :)
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