KPIX At 70: Covering The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

As part of our look back at 70 years of KPIX broadcasting, we remember the 15 seconds that changed our lives and served as a major wake-up call to anyone who lives in the Bay Area.

[@ShlisaShell]

I was twelve. In Santa Rosa. Leaving an appointment for my step brother with step-mother we were in the parking lot getting ready to leave. As soon as we started the old car it went crazy. Turned off the car and still was weird. I got out and saw the whole parking lot waving like the ocean.

[@michaelm9810]

Can't believe it's been 30 years now. Can still remember it like it was yesterday. I was almost 11 and living in Sunnyvale. To this day I've never experienced anything as frightening.

[@MrColdwatercanyon]

Living in Santa Cruz I was just serving myself some take out and watch the game. Damn house bounced the chimney fell and I knew people had to Have died

[@americanbot5711]

Lived in Santa Cruz at the time and the whole downtown old school mall with a ford's store etc. was leveled, same with Watsonville.

[@margaretryan13]

I was there.

[@altfactor]

Probably everyone in the Bay Area was watching the pregame show for the baseball game on another network.
Supposedly, the quake hit about two minutes before the introduction of the starting lineups and about ten minutes before the game was to begin.

[@danielanderson4726]

I think this may have been Dave McElhatton's "finest hour" as he anchored wall to wall coverage on KPIX.

[@JoseLopez-oj2ni]

No im not ready

[@ArdnthatN00b]

Now 30 lol

[@CMRinehart]

This will happen again, and cause even more damage.

[@DannyManny98]

Like in 1906

[@DannyManny98]

It was not as strong as the earthquake from 1906

[@user-zu3md5qz8y]

oakland in 2024 sux