ABERDEEN, Wash. -- “There were trees coming down all around us.”

That’s what Pernel Chapman remembers about the December storm that devastated Grays Harbor County exactly one year ago.

VIDEO BACKSTORY: Travails Covering 'Incredible' Dec. '07 Storm

When the storm hit, Chapman decided to head home from her job as a parts manager at Whitney’s Automotive in Montesano.

James Kingsbury, a co-worker, offered to give her a ride to her home near Aberdeen, but the high winds sent a tree smashing down on their company tow truck.

Chapman and Kingsbury were both crushed with multiple broken bones. Fortunately a tree cutting crew was on the road just ahead of them and quickly worked to clear the trees so an ambulance could make it to the victims.

One year later, Kingsbury is still recovering, but Chapman is back at work telling KIRO 7, “Every day is precious.” She remembers the storm vividly saying, “It was very frightening. I’m very lucky to be here.”

The storm that nearly cost Chapman her life also knocked out power across the county and tore roofs off of homes and businesses including Western Steel in Aberdeen.

It has taken $1 million and 10,000 board feet of plywood to repair the massive roof that was ripped off the steel supply company.

Owner Jill Rosenkrantz says getting the repairs done has been a non-stop effort.

“It’s a time consuming job. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, but once you’ve accomplished this you feel like it was all worth it,” Rosenkrantz said.

With the help of her insurance company, repairs were finally completed last month.

It's has also been a year of recovery for Western Steel’s next door neighbor Cowlitz Clean Sweep.

When Western Steel’s roof blew off, the debris landed on the environmental cleaning company's fleet of vehicles destroying trucks, trailers, a boat and some brand new fencing.

“To just see the building coming apart – coming and hitting everything it was unreal. Nothing I’ve ever seen before,” said manager Joe German.

He said his company has spent a quarter-million dollars to replace its fleet.

One year later all the storm victims, especially Chapman who nearly lost her life, say they remember the day vividly and Chapman says of the storm “I don’t ever want to see another one if it blows that hard I’m calling in sick.”