5,000 Evacuated at Ports O’ Call When Wind Sways Tower

An estimated 5,000 people were affected and business halted when restaurants, souvenir, crafts and clothing shops in San Pedro’s Ports O’ Call Village were evacuated for 2 1/2 hours Sunday afternoon.

According to Los Angeles Harbor Department spokesman Lee Zitko, a 300-foot-high former amusement ride known as the Sky Tower, which is being dismantled, started to sway in high winds. The ride, which had been closed and sold to an amusement park in the East, was being taken down before shipment.

Although winds were only about 15 knots at ground level, Zitko said, they appeared to be much stronger near the top of the tower. Fearing lives could be endangered if the shaking tower suddenly toppled, Los Angeles fire and harbor officials decided to close and evacuate the area.

After a crane company stabilized the structure, employees and visitors were admitted back to the complex. No injuries were reported.