Fire, flood leave big mess

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By David Heitz | Monday, August 18, 2008 5:46 AM CDT | () comments

Jodi and Nick Hughes sit on their papasan chair in the middle of their apartment living room. Having survived a flood and a fire caused by lightning in the apartment, the chair is one of the few things they have to sit on. (John Schultz/QUAD-CITY TIMES) Buy this Photo

Even as a single mother battling lupus, Jodi Hughes of Bettendorf never has feared for her life, despite having some near-death experiences.

But when Mother Nature sent a lightning bolt through her bedroom window early June 15, fright took over.

“With all that I’ve been through, I’ve never been afraid, but that scared me,” Hughes said.

The powerful bolt of electricity shattered the window and ignited her dresser, eventually setting the entire wall on fire. Hughes, who lives on a disability check of $1,200 per month, rushed to grab her son, their medication and the dog, while the dresser — which contained a “safety net” of $1,000 in cash — went up in smoke, she said.

“There were flames everywhere,” Hughes said. “My contacts melted to my eyes, and my son’s eyeglasses melted as well.”

Hughes has been nominated for help from the Unsinkable Spirit Fund. The fund was created by the United Way,

Quad-City Times, Bix 7 and Quad-City River Bandits to help area residents affected by the devastating floods in June. Organizers have since expanded the fund to assist those affected by the tornado-like storm that ripped though the area in July, downing powers line and trees. Numerous residents and businesses have contributed to the drive, which is continuing through September.

Hughes got hit twice by the storms. First, torrential rains caused water to seep into her basement apartment. Then, a few days later, came the lightning strike. The floodwaters combined with the soot to create a stinky mess.

The apartment complex replaced the carpet and paint in Hughes’ unit, as well as the window. Hughes also received $571 from the Red Cross to pay for a hotel, cleaning supplies and clothing for her and her son, Nick, 12, who is legally blind, she said.

Still, she has been unable to replace the furniture that was damaged in the flood and the blaze and does not have money to buy her son a new pair of eyeglasses.

“I’m butt broke,” she said. “We’re penniless.”

When visitors come to Hughes’ apartment, she warns them not to sit on the couch because, even after a steam cleaning, soot remains deep in the fabric. Still, the couch remains in her otherwise sparkling-clean apartment, as well as a television that no longer works.

“I just keep them there because I don’t want people to think that I’m poor,’’ Hughes said.

Since she no longer works, Hughes volunteers by coaching youth soccer for the Bettendorf Park Board. She feels terrible because she lost 16 trophies that she was planning to give to the children on her team. “They melted,” Hughes said.

Despite all she has been through, Hughes and her son remain friendly and upbeat.

“When you’ve been through the coals, you’ve got to smile a lot,” Hughes said.

David Heitz can be contacted at (563) 383-2202 or dheitz@qctimes.com.