The reports continue to sound on my bedroom radio while I'm converting t.v. photos for use here on the website. It's 5:15 p.m.

I was listening to KCBS in San Francisco this morning right after the earthquake destroyed part of downtown Paso Robles. The initial reports were sketchy. Most of the information was relayed by people calling into the station with their stories. Morro Bay, Atascadero, Paso --- voices from many surrounding areas told of the severity and shock of the event. Firsthand stuff seemed pretty tame at this point --- a lot of rock and rolling, broken dishes and glass, a bit of fear, but nothing major.

One woman said she was in the shower and had to hold on (to what, she didn't say) or she would have fallen. Her husband was yahooing and yelling at her in the background, (apparently excited about the quake) and making sure she didn't leave out any other newsworthy items, like hearing transformers blowing up on Highway 46.

KCBS Radio finally connected with someone who said the old clock tower was down along with the brick fascia on some of the buildings on Park Street. But all reports of injury led everyone to believe nothing serious had happened to anyone.

The sheriff's department in San Luis Obispo didn't know much of anything early on and authorities in Paso didn't mention any deaths until awhile later.

 It was finally learned that the two employees of a dress shop ran into the street just as bricks started to fall, killing them both. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families and friends.

My sister said damage in houses was varied, knocking everything off shelves and walls in one home, but just doing minimal damage in homes only 1/2 mile away. She also said people were in Paso were told to start boiling their water.

Interestingly, I haven't heard any reports about Cambria itself and assume all is well. But I doubt it. It will take a few days before all the info surfaces.

I think the last really major quake to hit this area was the 1952 Tehachapi quake. We lived in Oak Park at the time by the tracks and so many of us thought it was just another train coming by. Today, a woman reported hearing the same 'roar from the ground' before feeling the shaking. 

I'm posting a number of screen shots you've probably already seen. You'll see many more in the next few days, just like Coalinga's quake a few years ago. 

A man on the radio is telling a reporter about the falling of the clock tower. It fell right in front of him. It came down in one piece, then smashed into the street. Car alarms were the only thing making noise after the buildings collapsed, he said. Everything was totally quiet otherwise. "Really very eerie."

It's 6:51 p.m. now. Time to get this stuff up so you can see it. There are much better photos and slideshow at Yahoo.com on the link for AP News.

Life won't return to normal after all is said and done. Rebuilding and retrofitting will restore the antique glory of Park Street, but won't restore life. May God speak to hearts about the brevity and uncertainty of this life and our need to have a place in the next.

 

 

 

 


LOOKING SOUTH ON PARK STREET


LOOKING EAST DOWN 12TH STREET, WITH THE JEWELRY STORE ON THE FAR LEFT AND THE BAKERY NEXT DOOR.


THIS IS THE BREAD SHOP NEXT THE THE JEWELRY STORE---THIRTEEN PEOPLE WERE IN HERE WHEN THE QUAKE HIT, YET THEY ALL WERE ABLE TO GET OUT SAFELY!


THE DOWNTOWN PARK FOUNTAIN IS IN THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF THIS SHOT. YOU CAN SEE PART OF THE CLOCK TOWER ON THE FAR LEFT, I THINK.

 

BACK TO THE PR-USA HOMEPAGE