On Friday , October 28 , 1983 , the Borah Peak earthquake occurred at 8:06 am MDT , measured at 6.9 on the moment magnitude scale . The Challis-Mackay region experienced rather thorough damage , with 11 commercial buildings and 39 homes with major damage ; while another 200 houses were damaged , minor to moderately . Chickens were running all through the streets . Mackay in particular , about southeast of Challis , experienced the most severe damage . Most of the city 's large buildings on its Main Street were damaged , to some extent ; eight of these buildings were deemed condemned and closed down . Most of these buildings were built from materials such as brick , concrete block , and stone , each varying
Borah Peak earthquake
1983 Borah Peak earthquake
Mackay, Idaho