LOUISA COUNTY, Va. - On August 23, 2011, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit the small town of Mineral . The quake was felt from the Carolinas to Canada and left severe damages to two of the schools in the Louisa County school system.
Dr. Deborah Pettit still remembers exactly what she was doing the moment it happened.
"It was the last period of the day and we heard this rumbling," Pettit said.
Because of the extensive damage, Pettit said both schools "had to be totally demolished and rebuilt from the ground up."
Since then, the schools have come a long way. The new Thomas Jefferson Elementary School finally reopened this school year.
As for the high school, Dr. Pettit said they plan to open it next August.
"We're really looking forward to having the high school in their building, moving the mobile classrooms out," said Pettit.
Despite the challenges, Pettit said the whole experience has made them stronger.
"I'm very proud of our community," said Pettit. "They're very resilient, they are a can-do community."
