The forces in the World and the Universe are what they are. They are neither directed at us as punishment, nor are they selective in regards to who or what they effect. They simply exist in their own respect.
To say they can be channeled and used as some vindictive divine force against us is not only ignorant, it is completely against what the Bible illustrates. What the Bible makes abundantly clear is, when disaster strikes, those who keep their faith in God strong and reach out to help other victims and be strong in the name of God are who are truly blessed and righteous. For them, will be an eternal reward.
Those who react with blame, hatred and despair will be lost with the aftermath and destruction of the storm; Like chaff in the wind. As will those who bear false witness to God's word. Pat Roberts falls into the latter category.
I agree that Pat Robertson can be a nut, but I wouldn’t tie God into your thought that he cannot use nature to cleanse the world. The fact that Christ now acts as our sacrifice does not mean what you have asserted. Simply turn to the book of Revelations where nature will be used extensively in the end times. Christ himself speaks of this to his disciples in the “Olivet Discourse.”