It was one year ago that the 5.8-magnitude earthquake rocked the East Coast. The quake was centered in Mineral, a small town in Louisa County.
Thursday, we returned to the area to visit people who live there, namely one couple whose lives were turned upside down on August 23, 2011. This past year has been rough on Judy and Daniel Boone, but through it all they are still counting their blessings.
Judy said, "We're both standing here, looking out here at the trees and just watching them go up and down and it was petrifying."
The Boones remember it like it was yesterday, standing about a quarter of a mile away from the epicenter of the 5.8-magnitude earthquake, not only because of what they felt but because its aftermath was written all over their house.
"Every drawer was open, every cabinet was open and whatever was in it was on the floor," said Judy.
Daniel said, "It'd be like going to Lowe's and seeing all the bolts and nuts dumped on the floor. Well somebody's got to pick them up and sort them and put them back. Well that was a hell of a job."
There were cracks above all the doors and on the ceiling. "You could see where the foundation had split in spots where the corners were all open and it was just scary," Judy said.
The entire foundation of the house had to be replaced. "The house is jacked up," Daniel said. "That's pretty dramatic to see your house up on stilts."
The Boones sustained $54,000 worth of damage and at the time, they didn't have earthquake insurance. They were forced to dip into their life's savings to help pay for the repairs.
Judy said, "So we can't afford to get sick now because some of that had to be used in order to get the house back together again."
But they also received a significant amount of help from a community of blacksmiths, who threw a fundraiser in their honor. A year later, things aren't quite 100 percent, but the Boones are grateful the repairs are paid off.
"We're thankful to God for that," said Judy. "We are much better off than a lot of other people in the county who are still trying to get themselves back together again."
