The Virginia Department of Emergency Management protects the lives and property of Virginia's citizens from emergencies and disasters by coordinating the state's emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery efforts.
Louisa County receives school damage report - Virginia Earthquake

Virginia Earthquake

Louisa County receives school damage report

COUNTY OF LOUISA
Gregory V. Strickland, Chairman, Louisa County School Board
Dr. Deborah D. Pettit, Superintendent, Louisa County Public Schools
Willie L. Gentry, Jr., Chairman, Louisa County Board of Supervisors
Robert C. Dubé, County Administrator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2011

Contact: Jaclyn O’Laughlin
Public Information Specialist, Louisa County Public Schools
Phone: (540) 894-5115
Email: olaughjm@lcps.k12.va.us


LOUISA, VA - On Friday, October 21, the County of Louisa received an independent report of damages that were sustained at Louisa County High School and Thomas Jefferson Elementary following the earthquake on August 23, 2011 and subsequent aftershocks.

We are currently evaluating this report as well as one which was received from the school’s insurance company on Thursday, October 20. No repair efforts are planned until the insurance coverage is finalized and the Federal Emergency Management Agency acts on the request for public assistance sent by Governor Bob McDonnell late Friday evening, October 21. It is important to note that this request is separate from the governor’s appeal of FEMA’s decision to deny individual assistance for the more than 1,400 homeowners affected by the earthquake (a total of $18.3 million in damage to residential properties only). Public assistance is associated directly with publicly owned facilities, such as county government offices and school buildings.

Site work on the modular high school has already begun with tree removal and trenching for water and sewer lines. The first set of trailers will arrive by the end of this week and will be staged outside of the Louisa County High School facility and off-site at the Virginia Department of Transportation Residency in Louisa. All units should be installed by December 15, at which point walkways will be added, and furniture will begin to be moved into the mobile classrooms.

The opening date of the modular high school is scheduled for February 1, 2012 in order to meet the required hours and accreditation standards set by the Virginia Department of Education. Louisa County High School and Louisa County Middle School students will resume a normal schedule and attend school five days a week, Monday through Friday. The modular high school is being placed in the parking lot in front of and adjacent to the existing Louisa County High School facility.

Once the figures and data are finalized from the independent engineering report, more information will be released.

10/26/11

Accent theme by Handsome Code

Summary: United States Geological Survey reports 5.8 magnitude earthquake impacted Virginia at 1351. Epicenter was located approximately 4 miles south-southeast of Louisa, VA; 4 miles southwest of Mineral, VA; 41 miles northwest of Richmond, VA; and 83 miles southwest of Washington, DC. Depth of earthquake is report at approximately .6 mile.

FEMA has approved federal disaster assistance for individuals, renters and business owners in Louisa County who experienced damage as a result of a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Virginia on Aug. 23 and caused more than 40 aftershocks. The governor appealed FEMA’s initial decision to deny federal disaster aid to Louisa County.

Since the original request was made Sept. 20, officials have found more extensive damage than what was originally reported in more than 1,400 homes. Some damage that was first categorized as minor has become worse as a result of more than 40 aftershocks. The appeal included a letter from Virginia’s entire congressional delegation supporting the request.

Individuals and families in need of earthquake recovery aid can register immediately by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) Monday –Friday from 6 a.m. – midnight Central time, 7 a.m. – 1 a.m. Eastern time, and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Eastern time. People also can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov . Those with smart phones or other mobile devices also can register at m.fema.gov.

Get current information on Hurricane Irene in the Disaster Blog .

Sign up to receive EM Update biweekly newletter.

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Subscribe to the EM Update RSS feed.

⇒VDEM homepage