More
- Classifieds
- Cars
- Deals
- Real Estate
- Rentals
- Shopping
- Obituaries
- Archives
- Topics
- Blogs

Adapting to a new reality

The lingering impact of the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Mineral, Va., on August 23, 2011 can be seen at Louisa High School, where students attend classes in trailers and the football team trains in a makeshift weight room. The Lions missed only one day of practice and one game in the aftermath of the quake and served as a rallying point for the community.

5 Seconds

00:00

00:00

Louisa High School is surrounded by fences, rope and keep out signs. The school building has been closed since August 23, 2011, when a 5.8-magnitude earthquake shook the small town of Mineral. The building is scheduled to be torn down in the coming months, and is expected to be rebuilt by 2015.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Louisa High School students leave the trailers that serve as their classrooms on an April afternoon. Last summer's earthquake damaged the school building, and now the school consists of 22 'modular buildings' and seven trailers.

Louisa High School students leave the trailers that serve as their classrooms on an April afternoon. Last summer's earthquake damaged the school building, and now the school consists of 22 "modular buildings" and seven trailers.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

'Pod L' has been specially reinforced to serve as the weight room for the school's athletic teams. Football players file inside for an offseason workout.

"Pod L" has been specially reinforced to serve as the weight room for the school's athletic teams. Football players file inside for an offseason workout.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

'Pod L' serves as the makeshift weight room for the Louisa High School football team. Tacked up on the wall is a picture of an opponent's gleaming, spacious weight room. The Lions look at it for motivation.

"Pod L" serves as the makeshift weight room for the Louisa High School football team. Tacked up on the wall is a picture of an opponent's gleaming, spacious weight room. The Lions look at it for motivation.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Louisa football Coach Jonathan Meeks (left corner, hands up) talks with his team inside the school's gym, which is also housed in a trailer. Louisa's basketball teams played their games at Monticello High in Charlottesville last season. There is a plan to build a 'bubble gym.'

Louisa football Coach Jonathan Meeks (left corner, hands up) talks with his team inside the school's gym, which is also housed in a trailer. Louisa's basketball teams played their games at Monticello High in Charlottesville last season. There is a plan to build a "bubble gym."

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

The trailer that serves as the Louisa High School weight room can get very crowded when the football team is working out.

The trailer that serves as the Louisa High School weight room can get very crowded when the football team is working out.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Louisa's Dyshan Johnson lifts weights inside the makeshift weight room trailer.

Louisa's Dyshan Johnson lifts weights inside the makeshift weight room trailer.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Dyshan Johnson (left) and Raheem Johnson (right) slap hands as they do pushups in Louisa's weight room trailer.

Dyshan Johnson (left) and Raheem Johnson (right) slap hands as they do pushups in Louisa's weight room trailer.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Louisa football players work out in the trailer that serves as their weight room.

Louisa football players work out in the trailer that serves as their weight room.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Space is so tight inside the weight room trailer than some players take their workouts outside. Others ice their injuries on the ramps.

Space is so tight inside the weight room trailer than some players take their workouts outside. Others ice their injuries on the ramps.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Louisa football players work out inside and outside the trailer that serves as their weight room.

Louisa football players work out inside and outside the trailer that serves as their weight room.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Drew Goad uses the ramp to the weightlifting trailer to do lunges.

Drew Goad uses the ramp to the weightlifting trailer to do lunges.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Louisa football Coach Jonathan Meeks (left) watches as Robert Hicks (center) and Zack Jackson (right) face off in a footwork drill. The school building, which is was damaged by the earthquake, can be seen in the distance. The football stadium was unharmed.

Louisa football Coach Jonathan Meeks (left) watches as Robert Hicks (center) and Zack Jackson (right) face off in a footwork drill. The school building, which is was damaged by the earthquake, can be seen in the distance. The football stadium was unharmed.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Zack Jackson (center) lifts tires during a spring workout. The Louisa football team had to modify their workouts after their school was damaged in an earthquake last summer.

Zack Jackson (center) lifts tires during a spring workout. The Louisa football team had to modify their workouts after their school was damaged in an earthquake last summer.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Cody Hopwood (left) and Tim Harris (right) chat after racing each other at practice.

Cody Hopwood (left) and Tim Harris (right) chat after racing each other at practice.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

After practice, Louisa's Tim Harris decided he was going to stack tires and jump over them. He got to six and the coaches said stop. The team uses tires as part of their workouts.

After practice, Louisa's Tim Harris decided he was going to stack tires and jump over them. He got to six and the coaches said stop. The team uses tires as part of their workouts.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Louisa Coach Jon Meeks (back to camera) talks with his team after a spring workout. The Lions missed only one day of practice last year following the earthquake and advanced to the playoffs.

Louisa Coach Jon Meeks (back to camera) talks with his team after a spring workout. The Lions missed only one day of practice last year following the earthquake and advanced to the playoffs.

Tracy A. Woodward / THE WASHINGTON POST

Featured Photo Galleries

Homeowner David Firth tries to beat back a brush fire heading towards his home at Bettas Road and Low Drive as wildfire burns Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 in Cle Elum, Wash. The fire jumped the line they were trying to make but still stands after being sprayed with water trucks and further efforts to beat it back with the help of several neighbors volunteering. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Bettina Hansen) SEATTLE OUT, USA TODAY OUT, MAGAZINES OUT, TELEVISION OUT, NO SALES . MANDATORY CREDIT TO: BETTINA HANSEN/THE SEATTLE TIMES.

Residents evacuate as wildfires rage through the West

This year’s wildfires are more numerous and have gotten bigger than last year’s, an official says.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Protesters gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is staying on August 16, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange has been living inside Ecuador's London embassy since June 19, 2012 after requesting political asylum whilst facing extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sexual assault. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Julian Assange granted political asylum by Ecuador

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted asylum on Thursday by Ecuador, raising the possibility of a diplomatic showdown between British...

Chase Culp of Houston checks his clown makeup before the performance of Circus Smirkus on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 in Montpelier, Vt. Circus Smirkus, based in Greensboro, Vt., is an award-winning international youth circus founded to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus.(AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

India Independence Day, Syrian air strikes, Western wildfires, plastination and more in the day in photos

News and feature images from around the world.

Cast member Charisma Carpenter poses at the premiere of 'The Expendables 2' at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California August 15, 2012. The movie opens in the U.S. on August 17. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Eye on entertainment

Charisma Carpenter, Chuck Norris, Lionel Richie, Joe Jonas, Nelly, Alice Cooper and other celebrities.

US President Barack Obama drinks a Guinness beer at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. Obama went to the bar to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Hoppy days are here again

President Obama is making clear his love for beer on the campaign trail as he attempts to ferment a coalition of the swilling.

Scanned from Post archive. Washington Senators baseball players Goose Goslin, Manush, Kukel. 9/21/1933. No other info. TWP Photo.

The last time Washington was this good . . .

The Nationals have had the best record in baseball in August, starting to erase memories hardened by decades of mediocrity. Here are clues to...

Montreal Washington, of Kansas City, pets the dog she adopted, Friday, Aug. 10, during 'Tackle Pet Homelessness' at the Kansas City animal shelter in Kansas City, Mo.. Washington plans on naming the pit bull, Alexandra. The shelter is at capacity and is offering a $25 adoption special for all dogs 25 pounds or more. For the month of August, all cats are 'name your own price' and kitten adoptions are $50. (AP Photo/The Kansas City Star, Allison Long)

Homeless and adopted dogs, sand kittens, snow leopards and more in animal views.

Amazing creatures from around the world.

LEWISBURG, WV - AUGUST 11: ( EDITORS NOTE: Image was created using the iPhone 4s with Snapseed's vintage filter) Two young boys sip a drink at the West Virginia State fair on August 11, 2012 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. People from across the region travel to the fair, which is celebrating its 88th year, and hosts various events including equestrian and livestock demonstrations along with a full compliment of carnival rides. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

iPhone snapshots at the West Virginia State Fair

An iPhone captures the fun at the West Virginia State Fair, in its 88th year. All images were created using the Snapseed photo-editing app&rsquo...

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

AllMet Sports Search