We are often asked the question, "What will you tell your kids about your life?" Sometimes the answer to this is rather silly or possibly very in-depth. Our answers depend solely on our culture or geography. Maybe we are inspired to tell them of events that happened in our childhood or when we were their age.
However, the residents of one tiny sliver of land in Virginia will have the distinct honor, if you will, of spreading the word to their children of what happened in 2011. They have survived not one but three different natural disasters over the course of three months. There is no doubt the people of Louisa County, located about 40 miles northwest of Richmond, will be able to share some of the most unique stories to their children in regard to what happened this year. Who would think nature would put such a pounding on this quaint little county in central Virginia?
Louisa County first came to light this year, thanks to a very natural but unusual occurrence — an earthquake. While the area is not immune to earthquakes by any means since it is surrounded by an active fault line, 5.8 magnitude earthquakes, like the one that occurred on Aug. 23 near Mineral, Va., was a bit surprising. This natural disaster caused some $70 million in damage according to an article form Newsplex.com on Aug. 31.
Then there was Irene. While not hit directly, officials opened up a shelter for victims of the Hurricane Irene and "Earthquake 5.8" while heavy rains fell and strong winds blew. There was minimal damage from the hurricane, but the problems were enough to have residents in the county shaking their heads, or saying, "C'mon, Irene."
But the latest round of fun to Louisa came just this past week. Last Thursday, strong thunderstorms that flew through the area brought with them tornadoes in the Greenspring area of the county. According to NBC29 out of Charlottesville, the tornado knocked down numerous trees and the roof off of a circa-1700 home.
Luckily, with all these disasters, no lives were lost. Not even any injuries were reported, even though bricks fell with the earthquake, water rose quickly during the hurricane and the tornado slung debris through open air. Somehow, nobody was hurt.
I think the events in Louisa County can teach us something. No matter how bad things get, the cost of life is what people truly value. I'm sure that statement makes a lot of sense, assuming a fair majority of people enjoy living. Usually when we hear about events like these, there is often a bad tagline — a few lives are lost, or at the very least a few are injured.
When you look at the scope of things, while Louisa Co. has been hit hard, in truth, they have been spared. Buildings can be rebuilt. Roofs can be replaced. But lives cannot.
I read a few comments on various news sites after the earthquake and the tornado. Readers would post very similar comments, most pertaining to how the community is so blessed.
Even though the Federal Emergency Management Association denied Louisa funds for the damage caused by the quake, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell donated $5,000 from his Political Action Committee. I think that's a positive move in the right direction.
When I was thinking about what has happened to Louisa over the past year, I also thought about what is next. I'm not hoping for any more disasters in this area, but I just can't help but wonder what's left that could be centered in the Louisa area. Flooding, shaking grounds and funnel clouds are already checked off. What's next?
I think to Louisa, it doesn't matter what's next. It's a small area and small areas are known for one thing: no matter what happens, what might bring down some other locations simply will make Louisa stronger. And with Alan Jackson performing there sometime in the future, I think that's something that will bounce this little town back on the map. This time, it will be for something positive, not something for the front-page blues.
