Oct 17, 2009 5:04 pm US/Pacific
Bay Area Marks Loma Prieta Quake At 5:04 P.M.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ―
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Devastation in SF's Marina District.
SF Chronicle
Bay Area communities are marking the exact moment the massive Loma Prieta earthquake hit the region 20 years ago with both reflection and preparation.
San Francisco culminated a week of earthquake preparedness activities with a recognition ceremony and a moment of silence at 5:04 p.m., the exact time the 6.9-magnitude quake struck the region in 1989.
During this event at the Marina Green, Mayor Gavin Newsom unveiled plans for a monument to honor the San Francisco Fire Department for their rescue efforts on Oct. 17, 1989.
In the East Bay, 5:04 p.m. was marked by emergency sirens sounding in Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro, and on Coast Guard Island. City officials warned residents not to be alarmed by the siren blasts.
Oakland held its own remembrance ceremony at 5:04 p.m. The tribute took place at Cypress Freeway Memorial Park at Mandela Parkway and 14th Street, named for the double-decker stretch of Interstate Highway 880 that collapsed during the earthquake, killing 42 people.
In addition to remembering the earthquake's victims and the many people who helped with rescue efforts, cities are also used the weekend to advocate disaster preparedness. Oakland held an emergency preparedness fair Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday, other East Bay communities will conduct a major disaster training drill.
The Lamorinda Community Emergency Response Team simulated disaster animal rescue, sheltering disaster victims and responding to a fire situation.
In addition to Saturday's Loma Prieta earthquake anniversary, Lamorinda CERT organizers also noted that Tuesday is the 20th anniversary of the massive East Bay Hills fire.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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