About Us / Disaster Relief

It’s not If it happens It is when...

San Francisco In 1906 S.F. was the west coasts most populated city, leading cultural and economic center in the west. On Wednesday, April 18, San Francisco was struck by one of the most significant earthquakes of all time. The damage resulting from this natural disaster and fire destroyed large portions of the city, and many of its 400,000 residents were left homeless and without food and water.

On Tuesday October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m., San Francisco was struck by the Loma Prieta earthquake. At that time 62,000 fans were waiting in Candlestick Park for game three of the World Series.

Damage from the earthquake effected San Francisco, Oakland, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterrey counties. 2,000 people were left homeless.

In the Bay Area, a part of San Francisco- East Bay Bridge as well as Cypress St. Viaduct had collapsed. Many other US Highway and Interstates sustained damage severely affecting the transporation system.

In San Francisco, fires occurred, buildings collapsed power out for four days, emergency phone service became sporadic and people had to rely for three days on emergency fire boxes for protection from fire, natural gas pipes ruptured, hundreds of citizens were injured or trapped in collapsed structures.

The hardest hit area in S.F. was the Marina District residents of 60 homes were given 15 minutes notice to gather their belongings before demolition begun.

Soon after the quake, Independent Insurance Agents of American said the disaster was the sixth-costliest disaster in U.S. history.

But in the aftermath, communities came together in ways nobody could have expected.

Partnering with state and civic emergency agencies, the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces proudly assisted in emergency and medical efforts to rescue victims of the Bay Bridge and Cypress Street Viaduct collapses. On Treasure Island, then a U.S. Naval Base, those stranded on the bridge were given shelter, food and a safe passage home.

The Presidio of San Francisco, troops lent a hand fire fighting in the Marina and in search and rescue. Letterman Hospital became a civilian treatment center.

The Navy was busy downtown assisting PG&E re-light a power plant. Third Fleet sent three naval ships. The USS Peleliu Amphibious Assault Ship became home to 300 displaced citizens.

For the men and Women of the U.S. Armed Forces, providing humanitarian aid and disaster assistance; is a core mission. Proud they stand ready at a moment’s notice to lend a helping hand at home during Hurricane Katrina or in most recently Haiti.

SSFWA is proud to announce it expanded mission to provide disaster preparation education and training to civic agencies.

Sources: U.C. Berkley Bancroft Library, S.F. Virtual Museum , S.F. City & County reports

Legacy of Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief: