Hurricane Sandy...I'll never forget her..

Sooo...I really don't know why I'm writing this, I'm doing it subconsciously I guess, but at this point, that's not uncommon. I'm in the process of constructing an organic/gluten free product store. I'm stoked! So excited about this, as it holds a very near and dear meaning for me. My mother's always wanted her own Organic store/herb and garden shop. So when I told her about it, of course she was completely onboard and wanted to help me with everything. What a great way to bond! That is..until Hurricane Sandy hit...And now everything is going to pieces. My Thanksgiving was, needless to say a disaster...it was the first time that I didn't cook, the first time that I spent it working, and the first time that I spent it making funeral arrangements for my mother and two younger brothers who weren't so lucky...My designer has also seemed to fall off the face of this earth, and I have no way of contacting him, other than to do what I have been doing which is send email, after email, after email, after skype message, after phone call, after voicemail...I'm not sure what to do at this point. For my mother, I want to give this project all that I've got, because in the end, I know that is what we both wanted. This is just the start of it. I would like to make a brick and mortar store in the future, and maybe if I'm lucky venture out and expand. It's a very in demand market, nowadays, since so many people are more health conscious. All I do is work nowadays, so I suppose this is me in a slight panic mode because I refuse to give up on this, but I don't want to waste another month looking for a designer, paying him to redo my site, simply because my guy went on an extended vacation and failed to notify. What's more disappointing is that I found him through WF, and I've seen him posting in several threads, yet neglecting to respond to any of my emails, or phone calls?? All the while using my website's name as a means to build his portfolio since he's a newbie here, but it's not even finished yet, nor do I know if it will Ever be since he and his team are MIA. I suppose I'm asking for advice now. For you good warriors to maybe shed a little light on the situation? This website is my main focus, I mean can you blame me? I'm not asking for sympathy, pity, or "attention". I'm not even letting myself think twice about grieving, as I cannot afford it. I know this thread is very "personal", so I hope you guys don't slam me for that, I just figured I might as well elaborate on it. Any feedback would be great, guys. I'd have no prob giving my web address so anyone can take a look at it and tell me what they think about the design.