Some Villages residents remember October 17, 1989—the day the earth shook so hard that it killed 63 people and caused $6 billion in damage. But a lot of us did not live here then, and are not aware of the collapse of the Cypress Freeway in Oakland, the devastation it wreaked on the Marina District in San Francisco, downtown Santa Cruz and Watsonville.
The anniversary of that Loma Prieta earthquake—a 6.9—is upon us. But just this week, a 4.2 earthquake along the San Andreas fault centered near the Santa Cruz-Monterey border awakened Bay Area residents. It was the largest earthquake in the greater Bay Area since a 5.1 quake rattled us on October 25, 2022 with its epicenter close to home in the hills East of San Jose in Joseph D Grant County Park.
And while the latest earthquake was relatively mild, the upcoming 35th anniversary of Loma Prieta should remind us that yes—we live in earthquake country and we are vulnerable. If you have not yet prepared yourself with Go Bags, home staples and a community plan for your family, it’s a good reminder not to delay any longer. Earthquakes are dangerous and you can help yourself by being prepared. Need guidance on how? Go to the EPC website at http://thevillagesepc.com.
Also, if you have not yet done so, please log into the new Member Portal/App on your computer, your tablet, and/or your smartphone. It’s the gateway to emergency alerts with useful information. If you’re having trouble logging in, please see the WOW Team and get the support you need. In October, they are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in one of the conference rooms in Cribari. Bring your device(s) and they can help you set them up. If you need support in your home, call the VMA office at 408-238-4230. They have volunteers who can help.
