CENTENNIAL SUNDAYS
California earthquakes
One of the first F-Jet trips was made to cover the Oct. 17, 1989, Loma Prieta earthquake on the central coast of California. It was among at least three California earthquakes an F-Jet team reported.
The 1989 shock was responsible for nearly 300 deaths and thousands of injuries. Several of the Bay Area鈥檚 major freeways suffered catastrophic failures.
The Journal鈥檚 Oct. 19 front page displayed a dramatic photo by Jim Thompson of cars crushed by debris from the magnitude 6.9 quake.
Journal reporters at such scenes wore vests identifying them as from the sa国际传媒官网网页入口, so people with ties to New Mexico would often approach them, Donn Friedman, a former Journal assistant managing editor, said.
鈥淧eople would see us and say, 鈥楬ey, I'm from New Mexico. My family was affected in this earthquake,鈥� Or even more important they would say, 鈥榃e're trying to find this family member. We're from New Mexico. Can you write something about this so we can help find out if they're okay?'
鈥淲e were able to pull these people into the stories that normally wouldn't be covered by the national media,鈥� Friedman said.
