Preparedness top of mind on Loma Prieta Earthquake 35th anniversary

General view of debris after the earthquake, measuring 7.1 on the richter scale
(FILE) SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 17: General view of debris after the earthquake, measuring 7.1 on the richter scale, rocks game three of the World Series between the Oakland A's and San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park on October 17, 1989 in San Francisco, California. Despite some discussion to cancel, baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent agrees to allow the series to continue. Play resumed October 25, and the A's go on to sweep the Giants in four games. Photo credit Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Thursday marks the 35th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake – the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the Bay Area.

The San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A's were preparing to play game 3 of the World Series at Candlestick Park when the massive earthquake struck.

The shaking lasted for at least 20 seconds and caused massive damage to roads, bridges and claimed dozens of lives.

It was so powerful that a part of the upper deck of the old eastern span of the Bay Bridge collapsed, as well as the 880 Cypress Street Viaduct in Oakland – killing 63 people and injuring thousands more.

In this before-and-after composite image, (Top) The collapsed upper deck of the Cypress viaduct of Interstate 880 after the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989 in Oakland, California. (Bottom) A car drives along Mandela Parkway where the Cypress viaduct of Interstate 880 used to stand on October 15, 2014 in Oakland, California.
(FILE) OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 15: In this before-and-after composite image, (Top) The collapsed upper deck of the Cypress viaduct of Interstate 880 after the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989 in Oakland, California. (Photo by H.G. Wilshire/U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library via Getty Images) OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 15: (Bottom) A car drives along Mandela Parkway where the Cypress viaduct of Interstate 880 used to stand on October 15, 2014 in Oakland, California. It has been 25 years since the 7.0 Loma Prieta earthquake rocked the San Francisco Bay Area at 5:04PM on October 17, 1989 causing widespread damage to buildings and roadways. 63 people died and nearly 4,000 were injured. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Photo credit (TOP) H.G. Wilshire/U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library via Getty Images (BOTTOM) Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Every year we remember the tragedy by practicing earthquake drills.

That "drop, cover and hold on" could just save your life.

“You increase the chance that you will be in a survivable void,” Larry Collins with the California Office of Emergency Services said, “which is key because for the firefighters, the rescuers, and the urban search and rescue teams that’s what they are looking for when they come in.”

Practice drills will be held in schools across the Bay Area today and your phone may have been triggered with the Earthquake Shake App this morning.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images