CALIFORNIA | LOCAL
December 14, 1999 | STEPHANIE STASSEL, TIMES STAFF WRITER
Throughout the 20th century, the San Fernando Valley has been no stranger to natural disasters. Earthquakes, fires, floods--the region has seen them all, often with horrific outcomes. The most damaging to property was the Northridge earthquake that struck with a 6.7 magnitude on Jan. 17, 1994. The temblor killed 57 people, injured nearly 12,000 others and caused more than $40 billion in property damage, still the costliest disaster in U.S. history.