1949 — Apr 13, earthquake, epicenter between Olympia and Tacoma, Puget Sound-area, WA–8

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard Sep 11, 2023 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–8  Associated Press. “Eight Dead in Quake…” Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA. 4-14-1949, p1.

–8  McNair-Huff, Rob and Natalie. Washington Disasters. 2006, pp. 129-130.

–1  Aberdeen [Death noted in AP in Cosmopolis, 2.9M SE of Aberdeen; Konrad Sorenson, 71.[1]]

–1  Castle Rock [Jack Roller, high school athlete; portion of school building toppled..[2]]

–1  Centralia [Marc Cuvric, 69, buried under bricks corner of Tower and Main.[3]]

–3  Olympia

            –1  Chimney falls killing Percival Bisson, steam fitter at a veneer plant.”[4]

            –1  Mrs. C. W. West, heart attack.[5]

            –1  Alfred Welander, 60. Heart attack.[6]

–1  Seattle [Abraham Hedlstrom, 79.[7]

            –1  Tacoma. School crossing guard Marvin Klegman, 11, saving life of 6-year-old.

–8  USGS. Historic Earthquakes. Puget Sound area, Washington, 1949 04 13 19:55. 10-26-2009

Narrative Information

“McNair-Huff, Rob and Natalie. Washington Disasters: “People throughout the Puget Sound area were just heading to lunch when the ground started shaking. Five minute before noon on April 13, 1949, the earth lurched into motion deep under the ground north of Olympia and sent shock waves across the Puget Sound region…Prior to 1949 the popular belief was that earthquakes could shake the region, but they were not likely to do so significant damage….

“….People died in Aberdeen, Castle Rock, and Centralia. Two People died in Olympia and another died in Seattle, and injuries were widespread. Heavy damage to brick buildings, which partially collapsed during the shaking, caused most of the injuries….” (McNair-Huff, Rob and Natalie. Washington Disasters: True Stories of Tragedy and Survival.  2006, pp. 129-136.)

USGS: “The epicenter lies between Olympia and Tacoma, along the southern edge of Puget Sound. Property damage in Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma was estimated at $25 million; eight people were killed; and many were injured. Several structures were condemned, including two schools and a church at Centralia, south of Olympia; a junior high school at Auburn, northeast of Tacoma; and a library at Chehalis, near Centralia. School buildings in widely separated towns were damaged seriously. Water spouted from cracks that formed in the ground at Centralia, Longview, and Seattle. One new spring developed on a farm at Forest. Downed chimneys and walls were reported from towns throughout the area.

“At Olympia, almost all large buildings were damaged to some extent, including eight structures on the Capitol grounds. Many chimneys and two large smokestacks fell. Public utilities sustained serious damage – water and gas mains were broken, and electric and telegraph services were interrupted.

“At Seattle, houses on filled ground were demolished, many old brick buildings were damaged, and chimneys toppled. One wooden water tank and the top of a radio tower collapsed.

“About 50 kilometers northeast of Olympia, at Tacoma, many chimneys were knocked to the ground and many buildings were damaged. Near Tacoma, a huge section of a 73 meter cliff toppled into Puget Sound shortly after the earthquake; south of Tacoma, railroad bridges were thrown out of alignment. A 23-ton cable saddle was thrown from the top of the Tacoma Narrows bridge tower, causing considerable damage. Also felt in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and in British Columbia, Canada. Only one small aftershock occurred during the next six months.” (USGS. Historic Earthquakes. Puget Sound area, Washington, 1949 04 13 19:55.  26 Oct 2009.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Eight Dead in Quake…” Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA. 4-14-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-12-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/walla-walla-union-bulletin-apr-14-1949-p-1/

Associated Press. “Five Die, Damage Heavy in Earthquake.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA, 4-13-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-12-2023 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/walla-walla-union-bulletin-apr-13-1949-p-1/

McNair-Huff, Rob and Natalie. Washington Disasters: True Stories of Tragedy and Survival.  Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot, 2006.

The Chronicle, Centralia, WA. “1949 Was Earth-Shaking, Heart-Breaking Time Here.” 2-17-2007. Accessed 9-12-2023 at:

https://www.chronline.com/stories/1949-was-earth-shaking-heart-breaking-time-here,213996?

United States Geological Survey. Historic Earthquakes. Puget Sound area, Washington, 1949 04 13 19:55:42 UTC, Magnitude 7.1, Intensity VIII.  October 26, 2009 modification. Accessed at: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/events/1949_04_13.php

[1] Associated Press. “Eight Dead in Quake…” Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA. 4-14-1949, p. 1. Heart attack.

[2] The Chronicle, Centralia, WA. “1949 Was Earth-Shaking, Heart-Breaking Time Here.” 2-17-2007.

[3] The Chronicle, Centralia, WA. “1949 Was Earth-Shaking, Heart-Breaking Time Here.” 2-17-2007. Also listed as Mark Kuveric, 70. (Associated Press. “Eight Dead in Quake…” Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA. 4-14-1949, p. 1.

[4] Associated Press. “Five Die, Damage Heavy in Earthquake.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA, 4-13-1949, p. 1.

[5] Associated Press. “Eight Dead in Quake…” Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA. 4-14-1949, p. 1.

[6] Associated Press. “Eight Dead in Quake…” Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA. 4-14-1949, p. 1.

[7] Associated Press. “Eight Dead in Quake…” Walla Walla Union Bulletin, WA. 4-14-1949, p. 1.

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