The 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake occurred on October 17 , 1989 . The rupture was related to the San Andreas fault system and affected the entire San Francisco Bay Area with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX ( '' Violent '' ) . Many structures in Oakland were badly damaged including the double-decker portion of Interstate 880 that collapsed . The eastern span of the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge also sustained damage and was closed to traffic for one month . Oakland became the home of the emerging nonprofit preparedness movement in the aftermath of the earthquake when local agencies formed CARD ( Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters ) to address the unmet emergency readiness needs of the nonprofit and faith sectors
Loma Prieta earthquake
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
History of Oakland, California