We just had another cat get lost on the boards and it found it’s way back home but it was a couple weeks later. Now, granted, “home” ain’t what it used to be but know that cats are very resourceful. Keep the faith and we’ll send all the good mojo we can find that she finds her way back to you.
Yesterday I was at the the ruined house with the NC Baptist ministry Men, who were clearing my yard for me. I saw a cat that looked liked Patches. My first thought was “how did she get here?” but I was so happy to see “her”. Alas, after cornering her it was not Patches. It was the stray my wife and I had dubbed “Psuedo Patches”. 
She is a tortoise shell cat, and a kitten of “Ghost”, another stray we used to see all of the time. I really miss Patches. Its hard to pretend her absebce isn’t painful.
My heart is breaking for you. I’m sure you know this is not punishment for anything you’ve done at all! This is not fate. This is random. Nature. Completely untargeted. It’s not like there’s some deity up there going, “I think I’ll take this guy out and save his neighbor across the street. MWUUAAAAHAHAHAHA!”
The world doesn’t work that way. Tornadoes don’t work that way. No one’s names are inscribed on tornadoes.
Mourn your losses. You’re entitled to. What you’ve been through is a devastating tragedy that most people can’t even being to wrap their mind around. Give yourself a break, okay?
I’m so glad you found Jet, but so sad that Patches is still gone. Did you catch the stray? Maybe rescuing her, even if you just turn her over to a shelter for adoption, will help you feel better? You might even take her in so she’s not out there in all this rubble fending for herself. She’ll never replace Patches, but she could put some love back in your hurting heart.
Don’t lose hope for Patches, though. Cats are very resourceful and have been known to survive all kinds of conditions for extended lengths of time, eventually being reunited with their owners.
Do you have any pictures of her that were uploaded to the internet before this happened? Perhaps you could start a Facebook page for her and ask people to help you find her!
Jolly Roger I was just checking in. I hope circumstances move in a positive direction for you. You sound a bit less stressed.