Khandro...I am not so content as you are, to separate the words "spiritual" and "religious" They both relate to a irrational belief in mumbo-jumbo, and is the prime reason that I am an atheist.
Perhaps I shouldn't have joined in this discussion, as wildwood specifically asked for comments from religious AB members.
But there appears to be a lack of religious people on here today, telling us how their particular religion can explain these entirely natural and explainable disasters. It would be interesting to see how they could apportion blame though, and I would be interested in a debate with them on the subject.