October 2003 Disasters

Updated September 9, 2022 | Infoplease Staff

• Oct. 15, New York City, N.Y.: The Staten Island ferry, Andrew J. Barberi crashed at full throttle into the dock, killing 11 people and injuring dozens. The pilot was charged with criminal negligence. More charges are expected.
• Oct. 21–Nov. 3, southern California: Fifteen devastating forest fires burned for 2 weeks, primarily in San Diego County, Ventura County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County, forcing more than 80,000 people to evacuate their homes and burning 800,000 acres. More than 15,500 firefighters battled the blazes which killed 24 people, destroyed 3,640 homes, and caused damages estimated at more than $2 billion. The Cedar Fire in San Diego, which burned through 200,000 acres, was the largest fire in California's history. Several of the fires are blamed on arsonists.

See also Major Earthquakes Around the World 2003

See also Recent Volcanic Activity