31 years later, the 1994 Northridge earthquake occurred

For the Santa Clarita Valley 31 years later, the 1994 Northridge earthquake was a defining moment, testing the resilience of its residents and the strength of its community institutions.

On the morning of Monday, January 17, 1994, a massive 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the San Fernando Valley, causing widespread devastation and shock waves throughout Los Angeles and changing the Santa Clarita Valley forever.

Residents across the county were suddenly awakened by their homes and beds being violently shaken, accompanied by shattering glass and numerous other disturbing sounds, disrupting what would have been a typical Monday morning.

The epicenter of the earthquake was in Reseda, and the effects of the quake were keenly felt in the Santa Clarita Valley, where buildings collapsed, infrastructure was severely damaged, and life was turned upside down. The earthquake killed 57 people.

Intensity map of the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

“I really didn't recognize it as an earthquake. It was pretty violent. I was thinking, you know, a bomb went off or some truck went into my house. It looked violent,” then-city manager Ken Bolskamp said in a previous KHTS article. “Very much.”

Major roads such as the I-5 and SR-14 freeways suffered extensive damage, cutting off vital transportation lines and isolating communities. Power outages, ruptured gas lines, and water shortages have exacerbated the challenges residents face.

“It was a very scary time,” said Gail Morgan, the City’s spokesperson at the time. “It looked like we were hit by a bomb. There were fires everywhere, and electricity poles were down.”

In Lancaster, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Officer Clarence Wayne Dean, a 27-year veteran of the department, left his residence several hours before his scheduled shift and got on his motorcycle. He headed south on Interstate 14. Individuals familiar with Dean speculated that his departure was likely motivated by his desire to assist in recovery efforts that were expected following the seismic tremors.

Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Police

Sadly, Dean was never able to work, instead becoming one of 57 confirmed deaths that day.

“I was running maybe five or six minutes early that morning,” said Scott Harris, a Valencia resident who was also driving on southbound Interstate 14 that morning. “Suddenly, a big cloud of dust appeared enveloping me. When I got out of this dust cloud, I saw on the road that there were some bumps in the highway.

Harries was one of the last people to cross the State Route 14 bridge before it collapsed on Interstate 5 in the Newhall Pass just south of Santa Clarita.

“All of a sudden, I started hearing this sound, like a gun being shot,” Harris said. “Then after I heard that, I heard, you know, rocks hitting the cement and rolling, and I thought: What the hell is that?”

Hidden in darkness, made worse by widespread power outages that prevented any street lighting, Officer Dean was unable to see the end of the road at the 5-14 split and fell at least 30 feet to his death.

Image courtesy of USGS

“He could have made a million excuses why he couldn't go to work that day,” Officer Bill Harkness, a fellow brigadier general in the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division and a friend of 27 years, told the California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation. “But he got up, put on his uniform and went in,” Harkness continued. “I consider Clarence Wayne Dean a hero.” “No, he's not a textbook hero. He was an everyday hero, the man who made you feel good, who knew his commitment to his city.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, communications became a lifeline. KHTS Radio, then known as KBET, played an indispensable role in disseminating information and keeping the community informed. Despite technical difficulties and power outages, station staff worked tirelessly to provide real-time updates on road closures, emergency services and recovery efforts.

“I went to the dispatch site; Everything was fine, except for the lack of power. “Then I drove back four or five miles to Sierra and Soledad, walked into the radio station and our morning anchor was already there,” said Carl Goldman, owner of KHTS/KBET Radio.

The station's broadcasts provided a platform for residents to share resources, locate loved ones and learn how to access aid. Interviews with first responders and local officials provided transparency and guidance, while community stories highlighted acts of courage and resilience.

“AJ Morgan and Barry McKeever went to the transmitter site, the jury set up a small portable studio that we used for remote controls, and they began broadcasting,” Goldman continued.

The Santa Clarita Valley's tight-knit community has become tighter, as residents come together to help neighbors, provide resources, and share information.

Among those who were there in the immediate aftermath of the Northridge earthquake, many recognized Adele McPherson for her tireless efforts as the city's emergency coordinator.

“When I first came to town, I met Adele. “It was still in the midst of recovery, so to speak, putting together the software that we still use today,” said Ken Striplin, Santa Clarita's current city manager. “A wonderful lady. She knew a lot about emergency response (and) emergency preparedness.

Adele Macpherson died on August 8, 2021 after a battle with cancer.

In a video interview for a 1995 State of the City presentation, McPherson spoke about the lessons learned from the Northridge earthquake. Although the disaster was devastating, it also provided insights that shaped how the youth community responded to unexpected crises.

“One of the things we learned after the Northridge earthquake is that earthquakes are survivable,” McPherson said. “With proper planning, preparation and simple steps taken beforehand, it will really make a difference.”

Today, the City of Santa Clarita activates its emergency blog at santaclaritaemergency.com during emergencies, providing real-time updates on evacuation orders, shelter locations, road closures and other important information in response to fires, earthquakes, landslides and floods.

The impact of the Northridge earthquake also led to broader initiatives, such as the creation of the Great California ShakeOut in 2008, an annual statewide earthquake safety drill practiced in homes, businesses and schools. Recently, the United States Geological Survey introduced the ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system, which provides advance notice of impending earthquakes.

For residents who lived through the earthquake, the memories remain fresh. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community solidarity in the face of adversity.

Image courtesy of SCV History.

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