by Maxine Headd

Created on: July 02, 2009   Last Updated: July 07, 2009

Why does FEMA needs to be revamped. Now I am not against FEMA per se'. But I am very upset and discouraged about the FEMA deal we are getting right now In Southern Illinois. I am just one homeowner in the Southern Illinois county of Williamson. We have a beautiful place to live in and to play in. Southern Illinois is one of the most beautiful places to live in the world. I came here from Kennett Missiouri more than 35 years ago and I have never wanted to leave. I go back home to visit but I always come back.

What do you say is wrong with FEMA in this litlle known Southern Illinois area? Well, I will tell you. In May 8th of 2009, this year, we had a Windstorm come through our beautiful Southern Illinois area. Yes, some news people called it an Inland Hurricane. It was totally unexpected to us and the travesty that it laid on us was massive. The skies grew dark and ominous and even though it was time for the children to be let out of their schools, they were not allowed to go home because of the imminent danger in the skies around us. After the storm was over, we were without electricity, without any common comforts other than the fact that most of us were still in our homes. Those who weren't or couldn't stay in their homes went to places of refuge. If you had an electric stove in your house, you could not cook your dinner. If you had a gas stove then you could prepare your dinner, but If you were on oxygen, you could not get it. There were trees lying down outside around our house and many many other houses. We had massive wind damage from 108 mile an hour winds. The high winds took out one hundred year old trees plus. It took the roofs off of our houses, some of the trees smashed our houses. It took down cable, direct t.V. lines, and much much more. The broken electricity wires were damaged so much that freezers and refrigerators began to lose valuable foods. Stores in town had to close their doors in order to keep their stores, and many towns went on curfew that night as we struggled to survive the disaster.

What is wrong that FEMA did not come in immediately after this had happened. We have still not recovered. My husband and I have a damaged roof, a damaged swimming pool, tree litter still covers a portion of my yard. The massive steel posts of the outdoor T.V.antennae damaged my car. It is still not back from the garage where they are supposed to be fixing it. I am hearing where FEMA was called in for Missouri's windstorm damage, but more than a month

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