Response to Disaster Alaska Earthquake (1964)

Synopsis

The ground shakes, buildings crumble, walls fall, and music swells in the opening moments of the 19-minute U.S. Army Corps of Engineers film, “Response to Disaster,” detailing the events of Great Alaskan earthquake (also known as the Good Friday earthquake) on March 27, 1964. “Beneath this rugged crust of Earth in our 49th state, Alaska, tremendous stress has built up miles below the surface,” the announcer warns beginning at mark 00:32 as the camera pans snow-covered mountains. At mark 00:50. disaster strikes. At the Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, the base commander (starting at mark 01:20 ) explains the 8.5 magnitude earthquake. The film takes the viewer through the aftermath: burning oil, ships tossed out of the ocean, and homes, apartments, and buildings turned to rubble in and around Anchorage. At mark 02:54, the damage is shown in Seward, Alaska, about 80 miles away, including damage to highways and harbors. Following President Lyndon B. Johnson’s declaration of the region as a disaster area, Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) Director Edward A McDermott is shown speaking from his office at mark 03:50, pledging federal help to the Alaskans and commending residents for their desire to immediately rebuild. The Corps of Engineers, in association with the OEP — FEMA's predecessor — moved in to help the quake-stricken region. quickly to help communities in distress. Less than 10 hours after the calamity, Alaska District Engineer Colonel Kenneth T. Sawyer sent…

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Details

Running time

18 minutes

Language

English

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage