Caught up in ‘tornado hell aftermath’

Cathy Batchelor has already designed signs for the tornado survivors, because she knows what it’s like, she says. Behind her is a small portion of the seven-plus acres of trees still to be removed from the Batchelor property on Crawford Road.

Caught up in ‘tornado hell aftermath’

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Top Stories

Saturday, June 25. 2011

Comments (36)

By Cathy Batchelor

I think we’re caught up in a Tornado Hell aftermath and can’t get out of it. Normally you won’t hear me complain but I’ve had my limit.

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#1 Anonymous on 06/25/11 at 07:09 AM

And FEMA came in, disrupted local progress and said 'we're here to help you.' Boloney!

#2 Anonymous on 06/25/11 at 09:32 AM

Yep, when you're late paying your insurance premium, they threaten to cancel your policy. And, when you get behind on your mortgage payment, they threaten to foreclose on your property. But, let a disaster occur, and they want to drag their feet. The pendulum swings both ways. There's something wrong with this picture. This is a 'messed-up' society that we live in...

#3 Anonymous on 06/25/11 at 10:38 AM

hate to say this mam but you are a productive citizen of society.now if you were a welfare brood mare sitting around spitting out kids from different fathers the government would be beating down your door trying to hand you everything.sorry but those of us who work hard pay our bills and are productive come far down the list.sad when you reward sorry lazy folks and punish hard working people.

#4 gab on 06/25/11 at 11:51 AM

I spent most of my life as a public school teacher. I often tried to encourage my students to work and study hard because in this great country we live in you can become anything you want if you want it bad enough. I remember on several occasions having students argue that higher education wasn't for them, usually saying that it would be too hard for them or that they didn't want to spend the time it would take.I would tell them anything worth having is worth working for. But I remember one particular time when I was so stunned I couldn't come up with any response. Upon me ranting for half of a class period about the virtues of studying hard and finding a good job, one student spoke up and said that if he spent years getting an education and then looked hard to find a job and then worked hard to move up in that job, he wouldn't get "The Check" that comes each month. Several other students responded that it wouldn't be worth giving up "The Check" each month. I tried but couldn't convince them otherwise. I couldn't think of anything to say.
I guess our government is sending a message to many of our tornado victims, a message they do not deserve and one Americans should be ashamed of!

#5 H B on 06/25/11 at 02:47 PM

I wonder why the government has FEMA in the budget. FEMA seems to do nothing but alot of posturing in an emergency, and little or no action. The Action always seems to benefit nobody. We as taxpayers should not have to pay money for these do-nothings.

#6 Anonymous on 06/25/11 at 09:21 PM

You got your life and health. Be glad.
Now you know how it feels to be powerless and not in control of your life.
The very people you all have been judging without knowing their story,is your story now. You are now the working poor and homeless.
Pride is a hard pill to swallow sometimes. Let it go!

#6.1 Anonymous on 06/26/11 at 01:32 PM

That is such a cold ,hearless remark you should ask God to forgive you these people lost everything that had worked for while people they don't give a crape get everything for free!!!

#6.2 Anonymous on 06/26/11 at 01:41 PM

you worthless POS! this lady is far from a person who would judge someone without knowing their story.these are hard working folks not your street garbage welfare scum you speek of!

#6.3 Karma on 06/27/11 at 10:14 AM

I agree wholehearted with you #6. I remember all the disparaging names the victims of Katrina were giving. I remember all the stuff said on many news outlets both tv and internet about how all these victims were waiting an "their" handouts from the government. Well guess what ladies and gentlemen?! Some of the same people who were condemning those victims without knowing their stories are going through the same horrible situation. It's called karma and karma has many more people to see and you KNOW who you are!!!

#6.3.1 judah on 06/27/11 at 12:11 PM

Guess what, the big difference is one group actually has held a job and paid taxes for uses and needs help the other group doesn't work (much if any) and have freeloaded off the government their entire worthless lives and should be allowed to go homeless and hungry unless they are physically or mentally disabled.

#6.3.2 Anonymous on 06/27/11 at 02:27 PM

Another thing to think about when bringing up Katrina is that the whole world knew that the hurricane was coming. The people of New orleans were told to evacuate and they were too stupid to do so. You cannot compair the two. You like to talk about Karma...maybe thats what they should have named Katrina!

#6.3.2.1 Anonymous on 06/27/11 at 05:27 PM

If hurricanes are issued as punishment for sin, we are all in trouble. People didnt leave because there have been several false alarms in the past..among other reasons.

#6.3.2.1.1 Anonymous on 06/27/11 at 06:52 PM

What are you talking about? "If hurricanes are issued as punishment for sin" No one said they were being punished.
It's hard not to notice a hurricane headed your way.

#6.3.2.1.2 Anonymous on 06/27/11 at 07:11 PM

Yeah...whatever! The people there were told that there was going to be devestation on a large scale. They even sent busses in to get people and they refused to leave. I think the tornado victims on minutes or even seconds to take cover. I think you are trying to make this a white black issue, but its not going to work. The government only helps those who have used and abused the system; Probably their entire life. It is sad when working class America cant get help because so much money is going out to those who are lazy free loaders. You know that is true. People do not need a natural disaster to figure that out do they. Maybe the ggod folks of B'ville should resort to looting like those in New Orleans. You know...just steal what you need.

#6.3.2.1.2.1 Anonymous on 06/29/11 at 12:51 AM

why were you still in your house when the tornado hit, you had prior warning too, just didn't think it was coming to your neighborhood did you?

#6.3.2.1.2.2 Anonymous on 06/29/11 at 01:14 AM

Trouble comes to the PREPARED and the UNPREPARED! And the prepared and unprepared were found in need of help.

#6.3.3 Anonymous on 06/29/11 at 01:07 AM

You said it right! It's more coming. God hates pride. Especially this false pride going on around here. Some people are gonna get knocked off their high horses. There's a lesson of humility to be learned.

#6.3.3.1 Anonymous on 06/29/11 at 11:25 AM

Are you speaking for yourself? Jealousy isnt a good trait to have and you seem full of it. Nor is preaching to people and then putting them down in the next breath. You are a hypocrite.

#7 Clyde Coldtrain on 06/25/11 at 10:15 PM

FEMA was not set up to help communities where the local and state governments work as they should and have a plan. It is only for the areas of the country where they elect people that don't have a clue as to what to do in a emergency. They get elected because they holler the loudest or promise the most but have never had any experience at running a business.

#8 Anonymous on 06/25/11 at 11:45 PM

It doesn't sound like the B-LC Community Foundation will be of any help to you either! Very sad!

#9 Anonymous on 06/26/11 at 08:26 AM

Maybe the hardworking taxpaying citizen should holler louder about the injustices that they get. LAZY GOOD FOR NOTHING PEOPLE don't deserve anything they don't earn. Anonymous #16 that is not something you should say to anyone who has struggled and worked hard for. The goverment should help these people before they help those who live off the "CHECK". You have no compassion for people who work because you obviously don't know what it is to make an honest living. No we are not judging people without knowing some ones story we only are judging because we know that you are riding on our backs and the load is getting to heavy we need to let these people know that they aint going to continue to ride us and have everything that the taxpaying citizen has to do without. Maybe you should have a little pride then you would know what is was to lose It. If the people who lay aroung popping out babies for every dog that sniffs it had to do without then maybe they wouldn't be having the illegitmate halfbreeds.

#9.1 Anonymous on 06/26/11 at 12:12 PM

Who will you blame next, GOD? He did say that "PRIDE goeth before DESTUCTION and destrution before a FALL. He does control the wind and the rain. Maybe, God is trying to tell you something. Those are HIS children your accusing and bad-mouthing. They are the apple of his eye. Did you poke him in his eye?
Maybe you need to humble yourself and repent. Then your prayers won't fall on deaf ears. You don't want to be in a standoff with God you want his blessings.

#9.1.1 Cathy Stokes Howell on 06/27/11 at 01:06 PM

How can you be so condemning of these people? If you knew them personally you would NEVER write such hurtful words. Cathy was there for me at one of the most devestating times of my life. She is the one who is there for anyone that needs her; whether they are hungry, without clothes or thirsty as God's word commands us to be. She works extremely hard at both of her full time jobs, and volunteers at her church with the music and the children programs. Yes, she had pride in what she had, but not the ugly snotty pride of which you are speaking . She is aware that her blessings come from her Father in heaven. I was at her granddaughter's birthday party, where she said this was the year for new beginnings because God had spared their lives. I praise God for sparing her, her husband and grandchild.

#10 Anonymous on 06/26/11 at 09:45 PM

FEMA was established to provide disaster assistance NOT covered by insurance. Items such as lost glasses should be covered by homeowners as is housing while your home is being rebuilt. Sorry for your loss, but Uncle Sam & the rest of us taxpayers should not have to cover your insured losses.

#11 Upson Patriot on 06/26/11 at 09:46 PM

I pray for Mrs. Batchelor and her family. I can understand her sadness of this gestapo govt. that we now have. I don't believe that my family's income could come close to hers, but that doesn't matter. She and her husband has worked for it, and should be treated right! I am a Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War but nobody ever spit on me, and if they had it would have been h-ll to pay as we were well-trained and many God-fearing I assure you. I have worked since the age of eight in some form or another, and I know what the Holy Bible says "If you don't work you don't eat", paraphasing, but it is in the Holy Bible, so don't you low life, non-educated poc be disrepecting this awesome woman and her family, cause I come from a long line of American Patriots, and hard-working Americans!

God Bless you Mame,and your family and may The LORD deal according to his desire of this corrupt obamanation and his scumbag commie govt.

God Bless America, and the nation of Israel forever, Amen and Amen is my prayer! Thank you JESUS CHRIST, the only begotten Son of God, Amen!

Semper Fi, till I die!

#12 ggscocoa on 06/26/11 at 10:23 PM

Something is messed up with the system!!! The people that have worked and lived within their means can't get help...meanwhile all those that signed up for mortgages knowing that in 3-5 years they wouldn't be able to afford their payments..they can get all kinds of help...it just doesn't make sense. And FEMA...despite what all those in New Orleans think usually just gives low interest loans to people that have been displaced.

#13 Rankin Fyle on 06/27/11 at 07:12 AM

Seems like the only thing nastier than the tornado is the comments on this site.

Wow what a county we live in.

#13.1 lizzybegood on 06/27/11 at 12:43 PM

Definitely agree.

#14 Anonymous on 06/27/11 at 08:51 AM

We lost our house to a fire. We walked away with just the clothes we had on. The red cross gave us some money to purchase some clothes and the rest we were on our own. The difference was the insurance company. It was them that made things easier because they paid the bank and helped in clean-up plus it was obvious they cared about their people. I still have insurance with them and always will and mine is Farm Bureau. This is not a plug - it just an acknowledgement of appreciation for great service. It would seem to me that your insurance company could do a lot more than just issue you a check. They should actually help you back up on your feet. A reputable company would. It is nice to see such a big turn out from the citizens wanting to help out. When its just one disaster, the turn-out is all but nonexistent. Good luck and I hope everything will brighten up very soon.

#15 Anonymous on 06/27/11 at 09:04 AM

FEMA – Federal Emergency Misery Agency – We give to the freeloaders through the generosity of the working Americans. Only those that didn’t care then, don’t care now, and never will should apply. If you have a job, and insurance; then surely you have a quarter to call them instead of us. Don’t waste your time or ours.

#16 Concerned Neighbor on 06/27/11 at 02:00 PM

http://www.occ.gov/topics/consumer-protection/index-consumer-protection.html

This link is for the Comptroller of the Currency for the USA's website. There's info here about how you can file a complaint against your mortgage holder. Do it IN WRITING and be sure to copy the person you have been dealing with at your lender's office. You'll be suprised how fast you get a response, and a resolution.

#17 Anonymous on 06/28/11 at 02:58 PM

First of all the blame of this should be on their Insurance Agent. Their insurance should have been checked over the years and with a mobile home you should carry replacement insurance. From what i understand to pay the mortage off it is usually beneficial to the banks. Gotta be careful and check your coverages every few years. Hope you get all this cleared up soon.

#18 Cathy Batchelor on 06/28/11 at 10:12 PM

I never knew so many people were so upset about so much. This wasn't my intent. I wasn't aware that I was a freeloader. I'm 54 and I've worked since I was 16. Usually have kept 2 fulltime jobs with no life, as I do now. I've never said I was ungrateful, I've always said I was blessed. I am a responsible adult and I did have insurance and it was evaluated recently and updated. Your homeowners doesn't cover any trees that are not on your house nor do they pay for the bulldozer to push those huge stumps out of your yard. I am not looking for a free handout as you say. I did not condem anyone in the hurricaines. If you knew me you would know the difference. We filled out the paperwork that FEMA gave to us, and no, I do not expect anything from them. I pay my county property taxes just like everyone else, I pay all the same payroll taxes that the rest of you pay when you get a paycheck. I give to my church and any other worthy causes that come along. I have been grateful for every person that came by our property to offer their help. I am very proud of our community and the churches here and I can honestly say it truly humbles me. At 54 I can't roll a tree stump to the road or anywhere else.I've never used a gas chain saw but know that this is something I will need to master in the very near future. I have offered free fire wood to several people hoping that our hardwoods wouldn't lay on the ground and be wasted. We have been on our property for 24 years and I can not list everything that we lost on the insurance for replacement. My memory is not that good and we will just stop on our claim and call it done. Our problem wasn't with the insurance company, they were great. The frustration was with the mortgage company that wouldn't process our paperwork so we could get that piece of paper showing we were clear to get started again. No insurance won't cover the rebuilding. But that's ok. We've always worked hard. April 28th was a turn in the road for our lives and we are heading in a new direction. It was a new day and life as we knew it has changed forever. We are blessed. It's that simple, blessed and we know it.
Have I been frustrated? Yes. Do I want a handout? No. A handup is always better don't you think. We are trying to pull out of the rubble not pushed back into it. My taxes go up just like everyone elses does and I pay them. I have no choice. If I want to own my own home I have to pay the price.
Did I ask a tornado to drop down on our property? Of course not. Could I have stopped it? No. Do I have to live the consiquences of the tornado? Yes, I have no choice.
What does all the bickering do but fuel a fire.
Let it go. I would ask that when you see the Salvation Army bucket and the bellringer this Christmas that you take the time and drop some money into their pot. They have truly been a blessing to this community.
We have had some awesome people volunteer in this community and we should all be proud. If you volunteered to help someone in the tornado then my friend you are one of our unsung heroes here in Lamar County. To you I say thank you, thank you, thank you.
If you couldn't help but you prayed for your neighbors again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
I went to the Benefest Saturday eveing after I got off work and stayed for awhile. All the performers kept saying how blessed and humbled and honored they were to be able to come together for this cause. I sat alone in my seat very humbled by the efforts the community has put and pulled together. I just sat there silently and cried. It's very humbling to know someone cares. I'm not talking about caring about me but about caring for so many people that have been effected in so many ways by this disaster. There are so many stories out there how God spared and protected families. We as a community are very blessed and stronger than we were before the tornado.There are a lot of people out there that are just starting to feel the aftermath of the tornado and they need a friend. Someone to just listen or hold a hand. Their lives have been changed forever. They know and understand what I'm talking about. Please stop this bickering.
Do something constructive, plant a tree in the fall in honor of someone you care about or in memory of someone you love.
This county is going to need a lot of them.
THank you,
Cathy B

#18.1 jamba on 06/29/11 at 11:19 AM

Mrs Batchelor: I believe most of the anger here is towards the government and their lack of help for you and other working people who have paid their own way. I am very disappointed to hear the lack of help from FEMA for you. I admire the fact you and your family are working to deal with your problems yourselves, but in this case I believe the gov't should have stepped up to help y'all. I for one would much rather my tax monies go to help people like you who are obviously not working they system, but just need a hand to get going again.

To me it is ludicrous for some of the other posters to compare you or others who have worked their entire life to the folks who suffered from Katrina and were left behind because they expected the goverment to solve all their problems, like they have their entire lives.

#18.2 concerned on 07/02/11 at 02:17 PM

i agree with#18.1
the gov't won't stop until we as a nation stand up and turn back toward God. Sounds as though the snide remrks are from those who use
our tax dollars for a paycheck.

#18.3 Joanna duncan on 07/08/11 at 11:10 AM

My heart is alongside you Cathy... we live on 10.25 acres in Brimfield of which 8 acres is totally destroyed, lost, gone, laying down forever... no longer..the other 2.25 has taken 5 weeks and teams of hundreds of volunteers to clear the mess of agonised uprooted trees...it does hurt, it is so true that you can feel the mourning of the forest around you, I know that I can...we are now living in a trailer on our land trying to get a little more done each day...structural integrity of the house is gone, we are not permitted to live in it now..i relate to the exhaustion that you are experiencing..one foot in front of the other.. keep your chin up Cathy , you are in my prayers and God has not forgotten you.it's perfectly okay to express how forlorn you are feeling...know that I know. Jo

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