TORNADO -- ONE YEAR LATER

In 2007, my parents' home near Orlando Florida was hit by a Tornado.  When they left Illinois nearly 15 years ago, they sold their home and their business and went to Florida and bought themselves a modest trailer, completely paid for.  In 5 minutes, their home was destroyed.  Only months before, their regular insurance had been cancelled and they had signed up for state insurance.  Both of my parents are retired and receiving modest Social Security, since they had their own business rather than a pension.  Again, that was ok and they were living on it fine because their home was paid for and because they are frugal. 

Anyway, short story long.  Because they had insurance, they got no extra help from FEMA or any government agencies, but the insurance only covered half the cost of their new trailer.  And now, at 70 years old, my father has a $15,000 mortgage again on his once-paid for home. 

Below are some photos from their property after the tornado.  (Spot the two "before" pictures among them!)

If you would like to help genuine disaster victims, with money going directly to the affected persons, you can make a donation through Paypal to fluffysingler@earthlink.net and designate Parents' Tornado Fund. I will forward all donations directly to them to help them pay off their mortgage.