Earthquake Terror

In this chapter, the focus shifts to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer’s experience of the earthquake. They are driving when the earthquake hits, and the road becomes impassable because of downed trees. Mrs. Palmer can’t walk because of her broken ankle, so Mr. Palmer starts walking to Beaverville to get help. His progress is slowed by the need to climb over downed trees and branches, and he must also avoid downed power lines. Mr. Palmer grows fearful as he wonders whether there will be telephone service in Beaverville; calling for help for both his wife and kids may prove more difficult than he anticipated.

After three hours of walking, he finds a house and explains his situation to the owner; however, the owner has no power, and the telephone and water mains are both out of service. Mr. Palmer continues walking, reaching Beaverville around nightfall, and sees five separate fires burning. The townspeople explain that they cannot put out the fires because the water lines are broken, and broken gas lines are feeding the flames. A kind young man named Kenny offers to help Mr. Palmer clear the road back to his car using a chainsaw.