Confusion over insurance, contractors creates headache for customers
Carmen Baker stands by last Sunday to help pass tools and materials to her boyfriend, Bob Chittick, as he works on the ceiling of her bathroom at Edgewood Forest Mobile Home Park in Cedar Rapids. Baker’s home was severely damaged in the Aug. 10 derecho. Unable to find reliable contractors, Chittick, who has a background in construction, has taken on the project himself and works on the trailer almost daily when he has time between his two jobs. The two have been buying materials as they’re able to slowly make progress on the project. (Andy Abeyta/The Gazette)
CEDAR RAPIDS Twila Arntz, 54, says she can deal with some thunder and lightning when a storm strikes. But once the wind starts blowing, she feels more nervous than she was before the Aug. 10 derecho. Each gust stirs her memory of the devastating storm.
A resident of Edgewood Forest Mobile Home Park, Arntz recalls the fallen trees and damaged homes and businesses around the city.
“When I was sitting in the trailer, it was rocking from side to side and back and forth,” Arntz said. “I wasn’t so sure if it was going to stay tied down or not. I opened the door and I see all these trees down and everything. It reminded me of a war zone.”