By Betsey Bruce

FOX2now.com

6:33 p.m. CDT, August 17, 2011

FERGUSON, MO (KTVI-FOX2Now.com)—

Nearly four months after the howling winds of the Good Friday tornado struck North St. Louis County, Ferguson resident Rochelle Lathan is still living with friends and struggling to get her ranch home repaired. A neighbor’s tree blew over covering her roof and smashing through into her bedroom.

“The insurance company has been the biggest challenge because they took so long to come and when they did come in May they issue you a check and if you have a mortgage you have to send your check to the mortgage company,” Lathan said. The mortgage firm releases the insurance payment in chunks, checking to be sure work is completed before issuing the payment. But that makes juggling contractors difficult at times.

Lathan just got her roof replaced and new guttering completed. Repairing the inside of her home is next, but she’s waiting for the next chunk of money. In the meantime, Ferguson inspectors issued a summons to her for the storm damage on her property. Lathan said she had talked to the inspector who assured her the progress at her home was fine. But then she got a second notice complaining about her failure to remove storm damage. “Stuff that’s not even here,” she said adding, “I’m so confused.”

Ferguson Mayor James Knowles explained Wednesday that the city is trying to stay on top of homes where no work has been done to repair storm damage from the tornado. He promised to work with Lathan.

“It’s just about moving us forward as a community so we can get this taken care of,” Knowles said. “As long as city hall knows what is going on with their individual situation and they know it’s not a situation where it is a vacated property, an absentee landlord or somebody who just is taking the insurance money and running, we’re gonna work with you.”

Any Ferguson resident with storm questions should contact the city manager John Shaw at 314-524-5151 or jshaw@fergusoncity.com.

A community effort to help residents meet deductibles and other repair costs not covered by insurance is underway. The charity is known as “The Vine.” Contact Steve Lawler at 314-753-7911 or http://the-vine.us/