Santa Cruz county resident, mental health professional and longtime Red Cross volunteer Jill Hoffman recounts her Loma Prieta earthquake experience 35 years later, including what she’s learned about earthquake safety.
Collapsed roadways were a common sight after the earthquake. Photo credit: U.S.G.S.
“I have been a volunteer in Santa Cruz since 1980 and was part of the Loma Prieta Earthquake Red Cross response in 1989.
I was at work with clients at 5:01p.m. on Oct. 17, 1989 when the earthquake struck; I though we were being bombed, the noise and shaking were so severe. We were just six miles from epicenter. I remember saying very quietly and calmly “door frame! door frame!” (We know now not to do that, and instead to drop to the floor, cover yourself with something sturdy like a table, and hold on until the shaking stops. Doorways are not any more structurally sound than elsewhere in a building and not a safe place to go to during an earthquake.)
“I though we were being bombed, the noise and shaking were so severe.”
I was one of the lucky ones in that I had no major damage to my home, just books falling off shelves and glass breaking. My boss at the County Mental Halth Services (CMHS) came by about an hour and a half after the earthquake via bicycle instead of her car since the route to my neighborhood was no longer driveable. We immediately joined the team working at a disaster shelter at the Civic Center in downtown Santa Cruz.
At a Red Cross shelter, residents displaced by the Loma Prieta earthquake sit and talk.
I wore two hats during most of the response: I volunteered at the shelter and did community outreach for Red Cross. Within a few weeks, I assumed the role of the Clinical Mental Health Director for a FEMA grant, a position which was extended to 18 months. We saw 25,000 people during that time.
In Santa Cruz county, (the epicenter of the earthquake) CMHS led the long term mental health care response, taking over from the Red Cross. FEMA hired six full time and 34 contracted mental health care workers.
A washed out road in Santa Cruz county. Photo credit: U.S.G.S.
I met with the couple I had been seeing that day about five weeks later and they said “Jill! You were so wonderful, you were yelling at the top of your lungs “Door frame! Door frame!” So much for my perception of the event at the time.
When we had an aftershock 6 months later I had I had the flight vs. fight response and bolted out of my chair at a restaurant and stared running before my colleague stopped me.”
Thank you, Jill, for sharing your story, your service then, and your continued service now. To learn more about disaster preparedness, including how to be prepared for an earthquake, visit redcross.org/prepare.
Thirty-five years later, a Red Cross volunteer recalls his experience during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Red Cross volunteer photographer Larry Brazil remembers where he was during the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, 35 years ago today. The 6.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Northern California, with the Bay Area and Central Coast bearing the brunt of the impact. The epicenter was approximately eight miles north-northeast of Santa Cruz and 50 miles from downtown San Francisco. The quake lasted 15 seconds and struck during the peak of evening rush hour. The resulting catastrophic damage and loss of life forever changed the landscape, infrastructure and people of the Golden State. Sixty-six people lost their lives, 2,400 were injured and more than 10,000 homes were left uninhabitable. Larry shares what that fateful day was like, and what happened next:
The aftermath of the Bay Bridge following the earthquake. Photo credit: U.S.G.S.
“October 17,1989 was going to be a special day. Little did I know how memorable that day would end up being. It was special because a friend and I had tickets to Game 3 of the World Series that evening. We got to the game early and had a little tailgate party. We were just getting ready to head into the game when all of a sudden, time seemed to stand still, but the earth surely wasn’t standing still! The parking lot was literally rolling in waves. Cars were swaying back and forth, up and down, with their tires almost coming off the ground. It seemed to last for a long time, but it was probably about 15 seconds. When the shaking stopped, there was a loud roar from inside the stadium. We didn’t yet know the extent of damage and thought that the game would proceed after a delay. While trying to get into the stadium, someone had a little TV and we saw that the Bay Bridge had collapsed. It really sunk in then.
The Bay Bridge was our way home, and we knew we were in for a long night. The only way back home to Pleasanton was to go all the way around the Bay as the other bridges were closed for damage inspection. It took 9 hours to get home at 3a.m. We were transfixed by the images we saw of the widespread devastation. That was our first glimpse into the enormity of the situation.
“The next few days were a blur; it was not business as usual. We were pretty much glued to the TV, watching the drama unfold on the Cypress Freeway collapse and Marina fires.”
The bi-level Cypress Freeway, collapsed onto itself, was a sobering reminder of the quake’s intensity. Photo credit: U.S.G.S.
I was a member of a professional photographers group, the Peninsula Advertising Photographers Association. The Red Cross had reached out to our group looking for photographers to document the recovery efforts. I and two other photographers volunteered; I spent the next couple of days photographing Red Cross recovery efforts, mostly in Santa Cruz county.
I was with them day and night; at night we went out to highway workers in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Highway 17 offering them coffee, snacks, and moral support. During the day I photographed the shelter at the county fairgrounds in Watsonville. I was able to document the many services the Red Cross provided as well as much of the physical damage to the earth and buildings. I was grateful that I was able to contribute in some small way to the recovery efforts.
Landslides and destroyed roads were a common sight near Santa Crus. Photo credit: U.S.G.S.
It took another crisis time (the pandemic) for me to get involved again with the Red Cross. After being laid off due to COVID, I joined Blood Services team as a transportation specialist. I have delivered blood all over the greater Bay Area for the past four years. I have transitioned to doing some sheltering and logistics work in addition to my blood deliveries. I have recently joined the Red Cross communications team and look forward to once again providing the Red Cross with timely photos.”
Thank you for sharing your story and your service, Larry! To learn more about disaster preparedness, including earthquake preparedness, visit redcross.org/prepare.
John Crepeau has been a proud Red Crosser since 2017. Over the years, he has gone above and beyond the call of duty, serving as a Disaster Action Team supervisor, fleet coordinator and member of the Logistics team. He’s even served as a blood donor ambassador, supporting the collection staff and blood donors in drives across the Central Coast Chapter.
John’s motivation to volunteer comes from his late mother, “who was always willing to donate in any small way she could,” he fondly remembers. Her legacy of generosity continues to drive John’s commitment to making a difference in his community.
Every year, our region honors volunteers who best exemplify the spirit of volunteerism with the prestigious, “Volunteer of the Year Award”. These awardees are exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions over the past calendar year, serving in multiple roles and across various lines of service.
Meet our Volunteers of the Year from across the region:
Sheryl Calija Bay Area Chapter Manteca, CA
Sheryl Calija has been part of the Red Cross in Alameda since 2021, and she has been integral to the Disaster Action Team (DAT). Every month, she ensures their schedule is posted, accurate, and easily accessible, becoming a model for other territories. She has also been a very helpful guide when onboarding new volunteers.
“I was absolutely shocked when I learned I was getting this award and very proud to be recognized for my work,” said Sheryl.
Sheryl joined the Red Cross after she moved back to California and wanted to volunteer. She was excited when she got a position as a DAT Duty Officer. After a while, she wanted a position that would further allow her to interact with those affected by disasters so she became a caseworker. Sheryl had to take a step back due to family commitments, but she has continued being a valued volunteer with her scheduling contributions.
Linda Crippin Bay Area Chapter Brentwood, CA
After retiring, Linda Crippin wanted to continue helping others, so she decided to join the Red Cross. She currently serves as a Recovery Coordinator, overseeing a strong team of caseworkers, routinely assisting other chapters in training new caseworkers and helping with multi-unit family fire response in Contra Costa County and other territories. She volunteers for Sound the Alarm events and leads one of the smoke alarm installation teams for the Home Fire Campaign. In addition, she is a very active Presentation Assistant for two youth programs – The Pillowcase Project and Prepare with Pedro – and connected with organizations to gather donations for disaster victims. She has also led multiple Integrated Care and Condolence Teams.
One of her most memorable moments with the Red Cross was when she assisted with recovery efforts from tornados in Oklahoma in 2013, where she saw the suffering that disasters can bring. “I was very humbled and honored to receive the Volunteer of the Year Award. I never thought I would be worthy of such an esteemed honor. I am grateful to those who nominated me and only hope I can maintain the quality of work that brought me such recognition,” said Linda.
Beverly Bernhardson Heart of the Valley Chapter Stockton, CA
Beverly inherited her dedication to volunteerism from her family. Her parents always helped others, and her father was a regular blood donor. She began volunteering with Red Cross after her oldest son joined a Boy Scouts of America troop sponsored by the Red Cross in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“I have never been one to expect rewards for my work. I grew up on a dairy farm in Minnesota and learned at a young age to work hard. Seeing the end result of your hard work was your payment and made you feel like you had accomplished something. It is good to know that others appreciate the work I do and have recognized me for it. I hope to continue volunteering for the Red Cross for many more years and hearing more stories from everyone,” said Beverly.
Kay Tsenin North Bay Chapter Novato, CA
Kay Tsenin is the lead of the North Bay Chapter’s Sound the Alarm (STA) program and regularly volunteers as a Disaster Action Team member. Under her leadership, the local STA team has exceeded all goals for individual and event-based smoke alarm installations.
“I am very proud to have received the award. It is really an award for the whole team. I do not do this work alone. It is truly a team effort, and I am just the band leader of this incredible team of volunteers,” said Kay.
Originally from Shanghai, China, Kay noticed the work of Red Cross volunteers ever since she was five. In 2017, she felt compelled to volunteer herself at a local disaster center in Oakland, during the Bay Area wildfires. When she started regularly volunteering at the Marin Office, she became hooked on the work that she was doing and the people in the organization.
John Williams North Bay Chapter Benicia, CA
John Williams is known for his services across the Disaster Cycle Services Team. John is always ready to lead Be Red Cross Ready presentations at a moment’s notice. He also takes an active role in supporting the local mass care team and is ready to jump into action.
John started volunteering with Red Cross after seeing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and thought of Red Cross as “a long-respected organization with proven results in alleviating human suffering.”
“Red Cross has trained me to become a kind and professional part of that volunteer workforce. I wear my Red Cross hat and vest with pride knowing I am a small part of a large organization that helps people before, during and after disasters,” said John.
Ben Greenberg North Bay Chapter Santa Rosa, CA
Ben Greenberg volunteers for many Red Cross activities, such as teaching CPR classes and installing smoke alarms for Sound the Alarm. He’s known for always being available when a volunteer is needed.
Ben started volunteering with the Red Cross after the Tubbs Fire in 2017. He also wanted to give back to his community that helped him thrive while having a disability.
“I also volunteer to show others with disabilities that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Being the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award surprised me. It is a great honor to be recognized for my accomplishments. I would like to thank the Red Cross for the opportunity to serve my community and the support to do so,” said Ben.
Pam Chapell North Bay Chapter American Canyon, CA
Pam Chapell serves as the de facto Disaster Chair in Napa County, a Disaster Action Team Coordinator and an event organizer. She’s contributed a lot to the Red Cross mission, conducting presentations for the Napa County Fire Chiefs Association, assisting with Sound the Alarm events and supporting the American Canyon High School Red Cross Club.
Pam joined the Red Cross in 2018, after retiring. She was looking to do something meaningful and when people were affected by the Tubbs Fire, she noticed how much they appreciated help from the Red Cross.
“It amazes me how resilient people can be even when they are having the worst day of their lives. Watching how they help and support their friends and neighbors who are going through it too,” said Pam.
Fellow Red Cross volunteers Peggy Wegnerof the Silicon Valley Chapter and Tom Wiley of the Central Coast Chapter also received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Congratulations to our incredible awardees for this well-deserved recognition!
In the floods of 1981-82, the residents of the San Francisco Bay Area were surrounded by 25-inch rainfalls that hit the mountains ruthlessly, causing 33 deaths and damaging over 7,800 homes and businesses. In the Santa Cruz Mountains, the heavy rains triggered mudslides that blocked road access to the upper regions, burying buildings and trapping people.
Jill Hofmann, a licensed marriage, family and child therapist, was one of the residents of Santa Cruz County who was recruited to be part of the County Mental Health Team in 1981, quickly arose to support impacted residents, providing grief counseling and helping them cope.
However, the physical and mental efforts she remembered enduring, such as visiting community shelters or climbing over tree trunks to deliver packaged food, were just the beginning of her story as a Red Crosser. In fact, during the floods, Jill truly saw the lasting kindness and compassion of her fellow volunteers, after which she began her own journey of 43 years as a Red Cross volunteer.
1,236 smoke alarms installed throughout the Northern California Coastal Region in April
Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly, can save you and your loved ones by cutting the risk of dying in half.
The American Red Cross responds to home fires more than any other disaster combined and for that reason, in April, our, along with local fire departments and community partners, installed 1,236 free smoke alarms, making 452 homes safer and provided home fire prevention and safety information to 1,210 local residents.
Your Red Cross Update 